This study examines the influence of unilateral hip dislocation or subluxation in the gait of 20 low-lumbar myelomeningocele patients, community ambulators with AFOs and crutches, utilizing gait analysis. The patients were divided in two groups, Group 1 - 10 patients: complete absence or presence of symmetrical hip contractures (flexion and/or adduction) and Group 2 -10 patients : presence of unilateral or asymmetrical hip contractures. Pelvic and hip kinematics were analyzed to assess the symmetry of them, between the involved and the non-involved side. Gait was considered symmetrical in 7 studies in Group 1 and in 2 studies in Group 2. Assymmetrical gait was found in 3 studies of Group 1 and in 8 studies in Group 2. Gait symmetry was correlated with the absence of hip contractures or bilateral symmetrical hip contractures (Group 1). The asymmetrical pattern was related mainly to the presence of unilateral or unequal hip contractures. This study shows that gait assymetry can not be attributed only to the hip instability but seems to be more related to unequal hip contractures, thus gait symmetry could probably be achieved with the correction of the contractures involved, either by soft tissue or bone procedures.
Myelomeningocele; Hip dislocation gait; Contractures
