TY  - JOUR
T1  - Post-Stroke Lower Limb Length Discrepancy: A Complication in Patients with Hemiparesis
AU - Achugbue, Fyne Stephen AU - Sanusi, Segun 
JO  - Research Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
SP  - 175
EP  - 178
PY  - 2009
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9346
DO  - rjmsci.2009.175.178
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjmsci.2009.175.178
KW  - Stroke complications
KW  -limb length discrepancy
KW  -range of motion
KW  -weight shift
KW  -late physiotherapy
AB  - A stroke without prompt physiotherapy may result in contractures and/or other preventable complications, which may further affect functional ability. Asymmetric standing posture with weight transference to the non-paretic lower limb is peculiar with stroke patients. A secondary Limb-Length Discrepancy (LLD) in stroke has not been reported. The study looked if LLD could be a complication after stroke in physiotherapy neglected cases. Twelve stroke patients (2 Right, 10 left; 9 males, 3 females; mean age: 63.42±9.10 years) who presented late for physiotherapy participated in the study. Their length of stay before physiotherapy management ranges from 3-72 (mean 20.70±20.30) months. A true leg length measurement (from anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus) bilaterally, revealed insignificant LLD (p>0.05), but when correlated with extension lag of the paretic knee joint showed significance (p<0.05). LLD could result as a post-stroke complication-a long term effect in physiotherapy neglected cases, from reduced ROM of the non-paretic limb. Early physiotherapy (with quadriceps muscle exercises) of stroke patients is advised. Further studies with more accurate and reliable measurements are recommended.
ER  -