Poststroke upper limb recovery

Upper limb recovery following a stroke is not as good as it could be. Only a few individuals achieve full functional use of the hemiparetic arm. Complex primary and secondary impairments could affect recovery of upper limb function in stroke survivors. In addition, multiple personal, social, behavioral, economic, and environmental factors may interact to positively or negatively affect recovery during the different stages of rehabilitation. The current management of upper limb dysfunction poststroke has become more evidence based. This article reviews the standard of care for upper limb poststroke rehabilitation, the evidence supporting the treatment modalities that existant at this time and the exciting new advances in the therapeutic pipeline.