Does your leg feel stiff, difficult to bend and looks straight? And this happened after a stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury? Then this video might help you.

There are two synergy patterns that happens after a stroke or traumatic braininjury or spinal cord injury. One is extensor synergy or when it looks straight and stiff and difficult to bed and the other one is bent with the knee pointed Outwords And difficult to straighten. In this video we will try to manage a stiff, spastic and straight leg.
You will need to be on your couch or your bed and you will also need a belt.
First you need to lie down on your good side. Place a belt in your lower leg. Scoot back if necessary because you will need to lean more forward in order to let gravity assist that leg to slide down. Stay in that position until you will get a good stretch where your affected leg is bent forward instead of extended back. With your good hand try to hold the belt so that your knee will also bend. Once you have stretched the hip, try to do active flexion or bending of the hip and knee while you are lying on your side.
Next is we want to stretch your knee to flex or bend. Lay down on your back with your affected leg hanging from the edge of your bed or couch keep your thighs supported but let the lower leg bend down. Let gravity passively pull your lower leg in order to bend your knee. Again be patient as this will take time. Once your foot touches the floor, use the belt to pull that leg further back.
Once that is easier in which might take a few days or weeks, but be patient and not get frustrated, lie down on your back. In this position I’d like it to be on your couch preferably with armrests. You would want to put a pillow on top of the armrest so you can slide your leg and foot easier this will help your straight and stiff leg in bending. Focus on bringing that knee towards your nose. Try to do this 10 times for 3 sets.
The next exercise is external rotation of the hip. While still lying on your back, bring your knee of the affected leg out. To this 10 times. When that gets easy lie down on your good side and move against gravity with your feet together but bringing your knee up and away from you with your knees and hips bent.
Next we would all sit up with your legs straight. We will try to stretch your foot which is pointed down. If you can maintain good balance scoot towards the armrest of your couch and keep your foot and toes pointing up with your ankle at 90° and your knee Extended or straight and hip flexed at 90°. If you need to, support yourself with a bunch of pillows behind you. If this is difficult to do you can use a belt and place it around your foot and set up straight legs also straight and pull that foot towards you. Hold is for a minute or so.
These are the bed or couch exercises that you need to do if your leg is straight, stuff and rigid. If this gets easy you can do this exercises sitting down on a chair and I will add more exercises on the next video.
#stroke #braininjury #spinalcordinjury

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Disclaimer:
This video should not replace the necessity of visiting your doctor or getting your occupational therapy session done. Please consult your primary care physician before doing any of this. The video is for educational purposes only.

By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk. Skills and wellness will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of our fitness program.

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