Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Injuries

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is one of most complications after stroke. HSP would impede rehabilitation programs and the motor recovery of affected upper extremity. HSP was associated with impaired daily life activities and prolong hospital stay after stroke. Therefore, effective managements is important in stroke patients with HSP. Rotator cuffs injuries are related to HSP. Clinically, hyaluronic acid (HA) is used for rotator cuff injuries. Previous researchers reported that HA could provide pain relief, improved motion, and increased daily activities. In this study, fifty subacute stoke patients will be enrolled. These patients will be allocated into group A and B randomly. The patients in group A received HA injection while patients in group B received normal saline injection. Patients from both groups received injection for 3 times each on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd week. All the patients will still receive rehabilitation programs of physical therapy and occupational therapy. Each patient will receive physical, sonographic examinations, and stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL). The aims of this study are to investigate the benefits of HA injection on pain relief, motor function recovery, and life quality in subacute stroke patients with HSP before and after HA injection.