There are many ways a person can be affected by loss of feeling (sensation). Click on the plus symbols in the interactive graphic below to learn more about how different parts of the body are affected.
For more information on muscle weakness, shoulder pain &/or subluxation visit core competency 7: Muscle weakness and Advancing Module 5: Scenario Mr McTavish.
Leg and foot: As with the ‘arm’, loss of feeling can result in the person being unaware of the position their leg/foot is in. This may lead to soft tissue injury to the leg or foot due to incorrect or poor placement of the limb during changes of position or when standing. Both poor positioning or injury may increase the risk trips and falls due to their effects on balance and support structures.
Loss of feeling may prevent an individual from recognising that they have sustained an injury, are developing a pressure sore or mask the symptoms normally associated with a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Arm: Loss of feeling/altered sensation can affect a person’s ability to know where various parts of their body are located in relation to each other. This is known as ‘proprioception’. For example, a person may be sitting in a chair unaware that their arm is hanging off over the side of the armrest. If this position is sustained it will put a considerable strain on the shoulder and their arm/hand is likely to become swollen/oedematous and can impact on overall posture and function.
Shoulder: A stroke which causes significant arm weakness can often result in the development of shoulder complications: pain &/or ‘subluxation’ (see core competency 7: Muscle weakness and Advancing Module 5: Scenario Mr McTavish for further information). Careful moving, handling and positioning is essential to help manage this problem. If a person has loss/altered feeling in their arm they may be less aware of pain and positioning and therefore also less likely to be careful of their arm to protect it from further damage. Education on how to manage this is therefore very important to reduce the risk of complications.
Face: Loss of feeling in the face may lead to difficulties with eating and drinking. A person may be more susceptible to burns and scalds if they are unaware of the temperature of hot food/drinks. Loss of feeling in the face/mouth may also make chewing and swallowing difficult and contribute to oral loss during eating and drinking. This can lead to embarrassment, social withdrawal at mealtimes and potential skin breakdown around the mouth and neck from persistent dampness.
Skin: Altered sensation may leave a person unable to feel when they need to change position or that they need to go to the toilet. This may result in the skin getting damaged in a number of ways. These include a person’s weight, their nutritional state, dampness of the skin due to sweat, urine or faeces or by the friction experienced as they move or slide due to poor posture. Skin can become red and broken, appear shiny, become discoloured or blistered. If steps are not taken a pressure sore may develop or the skin becomes infected.
Page last reviewed: 02 Feb 2022