"Holding me back": living with arthritis while recovering from stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experience of living with arthritis while recovering from stroke.


METHODS
Qualitative, phenomenological study. During the first three months post-stroke, 14 one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Analysis was guided by the modified van Kaam method.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
Three men and two women with self-reported pre-existing knee arthritis who were recovering from a first stroke.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
"Holding me back" was central to the experience of living with knee arthritis while recovering from stroke, due to pain, mobility limitations, frustration, and additional coping demands. Experiencing arthritic pain occurred during daily physical activity. As a result, arthritis interfered with participants' ability to fully engage in stroke rehabilitation. The resulting mobility limitations due to arthritis were frustrating experiences that required additional coping strategies by all participants.


CONCLUSIONS
From the perspective of the participants, the slowed recovery from stroke due to arthritis illustrated the need to consider the influence of knee arthritis on stroke recovery during inpatient rehabilitation and after discharge. Stroke rehabilitation interventions that emphasize weight-bearing exercise may not be tolerated by those with arthritis. Alternate pharmacological treatments and physical rehabilitation should be considered for people with pre-existing knee arthritis post-stroke.
Wood
Jennifer P
JP
School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Connelly
Denise M
DM
Maly
Monica R
MR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome