Is it possible to regain movement in hand if you can’t feel anything in it?

[keeley24]

Just wondering if it is possible to regain movement in a hand if you can’t feel anything in it?

I go to a brain injury group and one of the women who goes had a stroke 6 years ago. She’s had physio for 6 month after it but now is left in the care of her husband who does everything for her, she is able to walk short distances holding onto someone but all her left side is affected. Me and a friend who also attends the group want to try and help her. She has wanted to walk the Humber bridge for years and me & my friend have started taking her for a walk near her house to see how far she can manage. The woman’s husband comes and walks with her. I think he’s a bit worried trusting anyone with her understandably. Up to now we have done 2 walks of 0.7 mile which is the furthest she has walked so it’s good for her. My friend is keen to try to get the woman’s hand moving again which honestly I don’t think will ever happen so I’m wondering if anyone here knows if it will be possible the woman has no feeling in the hand so I’m guessing she will never be able to move it unfortunately. Also with walking what would be a reasonable expectation of the distance she could build up to walking and is it likely she will ever get to walking unaided I’m almost certain answer to that is no. She can not balance herself at all and prefers to rely on people to lean on rather than a stick or walking frame.

[New_beginning]

Hello, your friend has much energy within and theres no doubt she pushes herself immensely but physically that walk be putting you and others at risk of injury. I dont know the bridge or the access but if wheelchair friendly could she walk on it, but not all of it. How old is she, how long with no movement in arm.

Trust her husband he may suffer from separation anxiety from the love and care he gives his wife too.

[keeley24 in reply to New_beginning]

She’s 60 and not been able to move her arm since having a stroke 6 years ago.

[New_beginning in reply to keeley24]

I personally consider that young and I'm 38, but 6years and no movement in arm I wonder about muscle tone , and what input she had at the beginning with physiotherapy and whether they showed husband exercises that could be done daily, usually mornings or midday. Just from post she sounds like shes such a determine lady and shes doing extremely well and her husband keeping up her gross motor skills to do what's shes doing now.

When life takes a dramatic turn, it's those Hope's and Goals that keep us going, like a mission.

[keeley24 in reply to New_beginning]

Yea she has asked my friend to set her goals to work towards to give her something to focus on. I’ve said it’s best to set goals but not dates to achieve them by so there isn’t any disappointment in her not achieving them as fast as she hoped. The first goal will be to walk a full mile. I’m thinking it’s likely walking longer distances holding onto someone could be all she will manage, but at least it will give her something to aim towards.

I’ve been thinking back to when I had my accident and how the most simple things like walking into the kitchen for a drink or something to eat was helping me get back to being able to walk more. But I’m thinking if this woman was ever going to be able to do that she probably would be able to by now. Probably would help if she would get used to using a walking frame or stick.

[New_beginning in reply to keeley24]

Sounds like a good plan and probably doing wonders for her emotional wellbeing too.

Well I hope you have plenty of laughs with the goals.

Sounds like many new friendships happening.

All the best, be lovely seeing future posts on progress, I'm cheering alround with everyone involved.

[Headshrink]

Yes don't give up. Brains are amazeballs

[Pairofboots]

Hi Keeley, from reading through your responses it sounds like you have a plan. There is something about being realistic, but that doesn't mean that you limit your expectations. There is a saying about reaching for the sky and you are unlikely to leave the ground, but reach for the stars and who knows how far you will get.

Movement without feeling, nerves that drive motor function are different to sensory nerves. Repetitive passive exercise has been used, but I'm not sure if this will help help muscle strength and improve automatic movement. But never say never.

As Headshrink says brains are amazing. As long as you act in the best interest with your friend, and she remains up for the challenge, then keep going. I don't know how long the Humber Bridge is, but that seems a reasonable goal if she has managed best part of a mile.

The only reason to stop is if your friend says she isn't enjoying herself. I'm sure between the three of you, you will have success.