3. Practical advice and tips for carers > Physical deficits

Physical deficits

19) What might stop you walking independently after stroke?

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What might stop you walking independently after stroke

  • Not being able to stand.
  • Not being able to keep your balance.
  • Not having enough movement in the leg.
  • Not having enough power in the leg.
  • Not able to move weight from one leg to another.
  • Not being aware of dangers when walking.
  • Having poor vision.
  • Having poor awareness of the position of the leg.

What might NOT stop you walking independently after stroke

  • Wearing slippers. If the slippers have good support for the foot this will not necessarily prevent walking.
  • A hip replacement before the stroke. If the hip surgery was successful this would not necessarily stop you walking again.
  • Swollen feet. It may make getting well fitting shoes more difficult but swollen feet do not necessarily mean you cannot walk.

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What might stop you walking independently after stroke

  • Not being able to stand.
  • Not being able to keep your balance.
  • Not having enough movement in the leg.
  • Not having enough power in the leg.
  • Not able to move weight from one leg to another.
  • Not being aware of dangers when walking.
  • Having poor vision.
  • Having poor awareness of the position of the leg.

What might NOT stop you walking independently after stroke

  • Wearing slippers. If the slippers have good support for the foot this will not necessarily prevent walking.
  • A hip replacement before the stroke. If the hip surgery was successful this would not necessarily stop you walking again.
  • Swollen feet. It may make getting well fitting shoes more difficult but swollen feet do not necessarily mean you cannot walk.

As the ability to walk progresses then the therapist will practice in different environments both inside and out, over different surfaces and climbing up and down stairs.

Unfortunately for a variety of reasons not everybody manages to regain the ability to walk. This can be devastating news and the person will need help and support to come to terms with this. For those people who cannot walk again they may be supplied with a wheelchair and taught how to propel themselves safely, if they can learn the method.