Background: Immobilization of the extremities after stroke is known to be the foremost reason of articular cartilage degeneration and musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) has become increasingly important in the assessment of joint cartilage. To the best of our knowledge, US measurements of the metacarpal and talar cartilage thicknesses in hemiplegic patients after stroke have not been performed before.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore whether metacarpal and talar cartilage thicknesses were affected after stroke using US.
Methods: Fifty-eight patients (33 M and 25 F) with unilateral hemiplegia after stroke were enrolled between April and June 2015. Age, sex, body mass index, paretic side, and underlying etiology (ischemic or hemorrhagic) were noted. Modified Ashworth scale, Brunnstrom motor recovery stage (BMRS), motor functional independence measure and functional ambulation category were recorded. A 5-12 MHz linear array probe was used for ultrasonographic cartilage measurements at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metacarpal heads and talus.
Results: When compared with the non-paretic side, metacarpal (but not talar) cartilage thicknesses were found to be less on the paretic side (significant for the 3rd and 4th ones) (both p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis yielded thinner 3rd and 4th metacarpal cartilage thicknesses between the groups in patients with BMRS 1-3 (p = 0.009 and 0.054, respectively) but not in patients with BMRS 4-6 (p = 0.416 and 0.571, respectively).
Conclusions: We may conclude that metacarpal (but not talar) cartilage is thinner on the paretic side of stroke patients that seems to be less with better motor functioning.
Keywords: Cartilage; Metacarpal; Stroke; Talus; Ultrasound.