ABSTRACT
Paralysis of the muscles around the hip may occur in spina bifida and sacral agenesis, following spinal cord injury, after poliomyelitis and in some forms of muscular dystrophy. Paralysis of all the muscles of both hips would make unaided walking impossible, while paralysis of individual muscles produces distinctive problems related to walking and stability of the hip. Complete paralysis of the muscles acting on the hip renders the hip flail. Paralysis of the hip flexors makes it difficult to propel the limb forwards while walking. Paralysis of hip abductors results in a Trendelenburg gait while paralysis of the hip extensors produces a typical gait pattern where the patient lurches backwards with exaggerated lumbar lordosis. Deformities develop on account of the muscle imbalance or due to the effect of gravity and posture. Deformities that may be encountered in hips that are paralysed include flexion, adduction with internal rotation or abduction with external rotation.
