The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the peripheral nerve injuries included brachial plexus injury and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in hemiplegic limbs of stroke.

The subjects were 40 cases with stroke and were classified according to the Brunnstrom stages, Modified Ashworth Scales, and degrees of subluxated shoulder. The electrodiagnostic study, triphasic bone scan, and radiologic examination were performed on all subjects.

The patients with diabetes mellitus, renal failure, trauma, and herniated intervertebral disc disease were excluded.

The results were as follows;

1) The abnormal spontaneous activities were shown in 57.5% in hemiplegic upper extremity and 25% in lower extremity regardless of peripheral nerve injuries.

2) The higher Brunnstrom stages were, the lesser abnormal spontaneous activities were.

3) The patients were diagnosed on reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) in 50% by physical examination, 27.5% by radiologic examination and 15% by triphasic bone scan, Each tests were significantly correlated.

4) The patients were diagnosed as brachial plexus injuries (BPI) in 12.5% and the incidence tends to be increased with increment of degree of subluxation.