Stroke Rehabilitation
Recovering Mobility and Independence After Stroke
Stroke Rehabilitation Case Study:
The following article outlines the experience of a stroke survivor who sought treatment from Neurological Physiotherapy. Whilst details have been anonymised this offers a true account of her treatment and progress whilst under our care.
Overview of the Stroke Rehabilitation Case Study
Patient Details
- Age: 56
- Gender: Female
- Occupation: Teacher
- Diagnosis: Ischaemic Basal Ganglia Stroke with left sided weakness
Patient Background and Stroke Diagnosis
Medical Background and Hospital Admission
S is 56 and a teacher. She was due to start a new teaching role and was staying with family at the time. She had been feeling unwell for some time, however, was unable to identify what was causing her symptoms (blurred vision, thirst, and dizziness). S was admitted to hospital in April 2025 after being found collapsed at home. She was found to be in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) from undiagnosed Type I Diabetes. She was admitted to ITU and treated for this. Whilst on ITU she suffered a respiratory arrest.
Type of Stroke and Resulting Symptoms
S suffered an Ischaemic Basal Ganglia Stroke with left sided weakness as a result of the respiratory arrest. She received inpatient stroke rehab until she was discharged home. In addition to receiving community NHS treatment, S made the decision to seek additional input from Neurological Physiotherapy and was assessed by us in July 2025.
Initial Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment
At assessment it was identified that in addition to left sided weakness affecting her arm and leg, S was also experiencing left knee pain, reduced activity in her left hand and wrist and stiffness and a subluxation in her left shoulder. S was able to maintain her balance when sitting but struggled to stay upright. When walking S could not put her left heel to the floor due to muscle shortening in her left ankle and leg. S did not have any altered sensation in her left side and her thinking processes and memory were unaffected.
Initially after discharge S she had four daily care visits to assist her with daily activities. She could walk around the house independently with a walking stick and go to the bathroom upstairs independently between care calls. S had previously been a car driver.
Stroke Rehabilitation Goals
It is normal to set goals at the start of treatment, and S and the physiotherapist agreed the following:
Patient-Led Goals for Recovery After Stroke
- To be able to walk independently without a walking stick in two months.
- To be able to tie her hair up in three months.
- To be able to cook meals independently using both hands in two months.
- To be able to shower independently in two months.
- To be able to return to driving in three months.
How Specialist Neurological Physiotherapy
Supports Stroke Recovery
Neurological Physiotherapy Treatment Plan
The treatment plan that was devised by S and the physiotherapist included:
Specialist Neurological Physiotherapy Interventions
- Soft tissue work and myofascial release at the back of her left leg, and to explore mobility in her left shoulder blade.
- To explore the mobility and strength in her left hip and provide specific strengthening exercises for her hip and left shoulder.
- Left arm strengthening exercises, including functional reaching and grasping tasks.
- Advice and support around her walking.
- A specific exercise programme for S to complete independently between treatment sessions.
Exercises and Support for Walking After Stroke
S started with twice weekly individualised sessions at home to complement the NHS input she was receiving. The plan was to attend the Neurological Physiotherapy clinic in the future and participate in exercise classes and hydrotherapy.
S started attending a balance exercise class run by Neurological Physiotherapy on a weekly basis and gym sessions with a physiotherapist with personal training qualifications, in August 2025. She also attended a weekly group hydrotherapy session from September 2025.
Once her confidence had improved in her home environment, S started coming to the clinic for treatment and her sessions were reduced to once a week from October 2025.
CASE STUDY- Stroke Rehabilitation.
S was discharged from Neurological Physiotherapy in December 2025, and we have summarised the progress she made during her five months of treatment.
S had more power and grip in her left hand and was able to extend her wrist better. This still required lots of effort from S and she was keen to continue working on this. She had better movement in her left arm and reduced muscle tone.
The movement in her ankle improved significantly during treatment, and she was able to gain full heel contact with the floor when standing with reduced knee pain.
S was now walking independently around the house without a walking stick. She was using her walking stick outdoors for stability, particularly for longer walks.
Ongoing Rehabilitation and Long-Term Recovery
S made a really remarkable recovery from her stroke. She was moving away from the area to start a new teaching role in January 2026, so the decision was made to refer her to a local physiotherapy service.
S hoped to continue with her rehabilitation focusing on walking outdoors without her walking stick, improve her walking further, return to swimming and to use a shopping trolley at the supermarket. This was all handed over to her new treating team.
