© 1981 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Pattern of Muscle Paralysis in Poliomyelitis in Nigerians
Orthopaedic and Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan Ibadan, Nigeria
The pattern of paralytic poliomyelitis in Nigerians is presented. Two-hundred and sixty patients seen in one year period at the Polio Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, were studied. One hundred and fifty-one were male and 109 female. Both lower limbs were mostly affected. Quadriceps muscle was the most affected muscle, and muscles of the upper limb were least affected. Segmental innervation affected were the second and third lumbar nerves in the lower limb and fifth and sixth cervical nerves in the upper limb. The associated complications were in the form of contractures mainly in tensor fascia lata muscles and the tendo-achilles. Knee deformities were also common. Five patients had paralytic scoliosis.