Which arm goes numb during a stroke
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Summary
5 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that numbness during a stroke can affect either arm, depending on the specific brain region involved.
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Numbness in the Arm During a Stroke: Key Insights
Right Hemisphere Stroke and Left Arm Numbness
One of the most common presentations of a stroke affecting the right hemisphere of the brain is numbness and weakness in the left arm. This is due to the brain's contralateral control over the body, meaning the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. For instance, a case study of a woman in her 60s who experienced acute onset numbness and weakness in her left arm and leg was diagnosed with a right middle cerebral artery territory infarction. Similarly, another case involved a 37-year-old man who experienced global numbness and clumsiness of his left arm and numbness on the left side of his face following an electrical injury, which was initially presumed to be a stroke.
Pure Sensory Stroke and Hemisensory Symptoms
Pure sensory strokes can also result in numbness that affects one entire side of the body, including the arm. This type of stroke is characterized by persistent or transient numbness and mild sensory loss without affecting the power of the limbs. In a study examining 26 patients with pure sensory stroke, it was found that the sensory loss could involve the face, arm, and leg on one side of the body. This reinforces the pattern of contralateral symptoms where a stroke in one hemisphere affects the opposite side of the body.
Cold Hemiplegic Arm and Associated Numbness
Post-stroke complications can include a sensation of coldness in the hemiplegic arm, which is often associated with numbness. A study involving stroke patients found that 53% experienced unilateral coldness in the hemiplegic arm, and this sensation was significantly associated with numbness and color changes in the arm. This highlights that numbness in the arm can persist as a long-term symptom following a stroke.
Stroke Mimics and Numbness
It is also important to consider conditions that mimic stroke symptoms. For example, a case report described a 24-year-old woman who experienced left hemiparesis and numbness in her left arm and leg following a COVID-19 vaccination. Although initial symptoms suggested a stroke, further imaging studies ruled out an ischemic event, and the symptoms were attributed to a motor aura resembling a migraine. This case underscores the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluations to differentiate between actual strokes and other conditions presenting with similar symptoms.
Conclusion
In summary, numbness in the arm during a stroke typically occurs on the side opposite to the affected hemisphere of the brain. Right hemisphere strokes commonly result in left arm numbness due to the brain's contralateral control. Pure sensory strokes and post-stroke complications like the cold hemiplegic arm can also present with numbness. Additionally, it is crucial to distinguish between true strokes and stroke mimics through comprehensive diagnostic assessments.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
9
[Pharmaceutical care for a patient with ischemic stroke].
9
0 Citations
2008