Accepted Answer

Date:Dec / 2011

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties your father is experiencing after a Stroke.

The fact that Left Leg 'feels heavy' to lift, with a background history of Left Sided stroke (hemi-paresis) is not unusual and may improve with time. I assume that your father will have received a physiotherapy assessment in hospital and possibly received further review / treatment in the community after discharge. Your father's GP can request further assessment re. leg 'seizes' (which may be muscle fatigue etc. but needs assessment).

However, the symptom of Ankle swelling that does decrease during the night is consistant with a condition known as 'gravitational dependent Oedema' where the small veins, under the effect of gravity (often after one sided weakness due to Stroke) do not 'return' all of the blood back up to the heart and small amounts of the water part of blood simpley 'oozes' out of the veins and causes the muscles and sub-cutaneous fat (normally under the skin) to become essentially 'water-logged'. Treatment is elevation, 'calf-pump activation' exercies (flexing and extending the ankle and foot frequently while the let is propped up on a stool etc, to help reduce the hydrostatic pressure in veins, therby reducing fluid accumulation in legs). If, however, the swelling does not reduce with elevation, one needs to consider the possiblity of blood clot in the calf veins - hence I suggest that the leg needs to be seen and examined by a GP or their nurse before confirming what is the underlying cause of the swelling.

The reducing movment in Left(?) arm/hand is likely the result of recent stroke- but as you say the fingers are starting to 'curl up' - again it may be due to stroke related weakness BUT must be examined directly by the doctor to confirm this and / or to consider other possibilities such as small 'extension' of previously damaged brain area due to Stroke etc.

Depending upon the extent of initial Stroke (and any further 'extension') the outcome in terms of return of Function is variable - to more clearly determine the outcome, the Stroke Specialist or GP with interest in this condition, will look at the CT Brain Scan and hospital history as well as consult with Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist before giving out the probability of improvement. I do see many patients who recover fully after a stroke with very good return of function (where there has been a 'small' stroke related brain damage and good recovery after inital few weeks of Physiotherapy) but sadly, others with more severe initial stroke relate damage who do not regain function and require increasing support services.

I do hope above information has been helpful to you.  Best Wishes to your Father and Season's Greetings!

Thank you for using ThanksDr. I do hope this information is of use to you.
Yours faithfully,
The ThanksDr Team