Low Incidence of Osteoarthrosis in Hip and Knee after Anterior Poliomyelitis: A Late Review

Abstract

This investigation has established that there is a decreased incidence of osteoarthrosis in weight-bearing hip- and kneejoints controlled by muscles which have been weakened by anterior poliomyelitis. It seems probable that residual paralysis following poliomyelitis in some way hinders the development of osteoarthrosis. It is possible that this protection may be related to changes in the osseous vascular pattern near the joints of paralysed limbs. A review of the relevant literature suggests that protection may occur in other neurological disorders associated with paralysis. © 1966, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.