Approaches to senior care #2. Orthopaedic management of the stroke patient. Part I. Pathophysiology, limb deformity, and patient evaluation.

Cerebrovascular accidents remain one of the most serious medical problems in the United States. They are responsible for 200,000 deaths per year and are the leading cause of hemiplegia in the adult. The purpose of these reports is to review the orthopaedic aspects of stroke rehabilitation, with emphasis on functional defects, evaluation of the patient, and methods of treatment. Part I will discuss the pathophysiologic changes and patient evaluation. Part II will discuss the surgical and nonsurgical management of extremity deformities.