Paralysis of hip joint muscles causes lateral differences in trunk muscle strength of hemiplegic stroke patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify whether or not paralysis of the hip joint muscles causes lateral differences in the lateral trunk flexion strength hemiplegic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 9 first-time hemiplegic stroke patients. In a sitting on the edge of the bed position, with and without pelvis fixation, the muscle strengths of isometric trunk flexion to the paretic and non-paretic sides were measured and compared. [Results] Without pelvis fixation, the paretic side muscle strength was significantly lower than that of the non-paretic side, and this tendency was especially strong in subjects with more severe hip joint muscle paralysis. There was no significant difference between paretic and non-paretic sides with pelvis fixation. [Conclusion] In hemiplegic stroke patients, lateral differences appear in trunk muscle strength due to paralysis of the hip joint muscles, which work to stabilize the pelvis, but when the pelvis is passively fixed, this lateral difference disappears due to the minimization of their influence.