A patient who is 7 weeks post-right anterior cerebral artery infarct presents with movement of the left upper extremity into an obligatory extension synergy.When examining the left lower extremity,the patient can extend the knee with the hip positioned at 90 degrees of flexion in sitting,but is unable to perform ankle dorsiflexion.What is this patient's stage of motor recovery?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The upper extremity showing obligatory extension synergy indicates it is in stage 3 of motor recovery, according to the Brunnstrom Approach. The ability to extend the knee with the hip flexed at 90 degrees in the lower extremity, but inability to perform ankle dorsiflexion, suggests that the lower extremity is in stage 4, where movement combinations that do not follow the paths of synergy are mastered.

A Patient Who Is 7 Weeks Post-Right Anterior Cerebral Artery