Do people get better after a stroke?

Movement of the extremities is often impaired after a stroke. But the ability to move usually improves substantially during the first 30 days after the stroke and can continue to improve for up to 90 days. Recovery takes twice as long when there is serious impairment of movement. Most patients will have some remaining impairment of motion following their stroke.

Speech ability is also often impaired after a stroke. Speech improves in most patients.  For those with mild speech impairment, improvement occurs within two weeks. For severe speech impairment it can take 10 weeks. Some patients continue to show improvement for months or years afterward.

Stroke can also interfere with your ability to think, remember, and pay attention to the world around you. Maximum improvement after the stroke usually occurs within three months but continued improvement may occur for a year.