Relationship between Pelvic Alignment and Weight-bearing Asymmetry in Community-dwelling Chronic Stroke Survivors.
OBJECTIVE
Altered pelvic alignment and asymmetrical weight bearing on lower extremities are the most common findings observed in standing and walking after stroke. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between pelvic alignment and weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) in community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care rehabilitation centers. In standing, the lateral and anterior pelvic tilt angle of chronic stroke survivors was assessed using palpation (PALM™) meter device. The percentage of WBA was measured with two standard weighing scales. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to study the correlation between pelvic tilt and WBA.


RESULTS
Of 112 study participants, the mean (standard deviation) age was 54.7 (11.7) years and the poststroke duration was 14 (11) months. The lateral pelvic tilt on the most affected side and bilateral anterior pelvic tilt were 2.47 (1.8) and 4.4 (1.8) degree, respectively. The percentage of WBA was 23.2 (18.94). There was a high correlation of lateral pelvic tilt with WBA (r= 0.631;P< 0.001) than anterior pelvic tilt (r= 0.44;P< 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive lateral pelvic tilt toward the most affected side in standing may influence the weight-bearing ability of the ipsilateral lower extremity in community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors.
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Suruliraj
S
Karthikbabu
Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
Mahabala
M
Chakrapani
Department of Physiotherapy, Spastics Society of Tamilnadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sailakshmi
S
Ganesan
Department of Neurology, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Ratnavalli
R
Ellajosyula
Motor recovery; pelvic alignment; stroke; weight-bearing asymmetry