Stroke

Almost 13 per cent of patients are affected in precisely the opposite manner due to damaged vessels and the like, namely a haemorrhage in the brain. In either case, the supply of blood to certain regions of the brain is no longer sufficient due to a local circulatory disorder.

According to the most recent estimates, more than 50000 cases of stroke occur in Australia each year. Due to the ageing of our society, the number of stroke patients can be expected to increase drastically over the coming decades. In 2012, the total financial costs of stroke in Australia were estimated to be $5 billion. The clinical picture of stroke therefore constitutes one of the main challenges for the Australian healthcare system.

The symptoms of a stroke and their severity can vary considerably between individuals. They include:

• Impaired vision

• Limited field of vision

• Disturbances in spatial perception, double vision

• Speech and speech comprehension disorders

• Paralysis, numbness

• Impaired sense of touch

• Drooping at the corner of the mouth – the leg and arm may exhibit similar symptoms (drop foot and drop hand)

• Shoulder pain

• Unstable knee joint function while standing

• Torso instability

• Dizziness with uncertain gait

• Spasticity in various forms and degrees of severity

According to the Federal Working Group for Rehabilitation ,what is known as a phase model applies in the field of neurological rehabilitation. First, the patient’s need for assistance is assessed by the attending doctor and therapist. Depending on their needs, a specific rehabilitation phase is considered. Neurological rehabilitation is divided into the following phases:

• Phase A: acute medical treatment

• Phase B: medical and therapeutic rehabilitation, early rehabilitation (in some cases, there are still extreme limitations (coma) for the most severely affected patients, who can only participate in treatment to a limited extent)

• Phase C: medical and therapeutic rehabilitation (impaired self-sufficiency)

• Phase D: medical and therapeutic rehabilitation (mobility at ward level possible)

• Phase E: medical and occupational rehabilitation (reintegration, reorientation if applicable)

• Phase F: curative care, maintenance measures

There have been considerable advancements in acute care over the last few years. Ottobock uses modern device solutions to pursue the goal of enhancing the focus on rehabilitation following acute treatment. From wheelchairs that provide support in the early rehabilitation phase, to products for drop foot (orthoses, functional electrical stimulation (FES) in the form of surface stimulation or an implant), through to orthoses that stabilise the shoulder, knee and wrist – Ottobock offers a broad selection of modern product solutions.