Poliomyelitis

Examination

Look

  • Walking Aids:
    • Observe for the use of crutches, braces, or other aids.
  • Muscle Wasting:
    • Global wasting, with particular attention to the Quadriceps.
  • Limb Length Discrepancy:
    • Assess for differences in leg length.
  • Flexion Deformity of Knee:
    • Check for over-pulling by hamstrings.
  • Foot Deformities:
    • Note any type of deformity (e.g., pes cavus or claw toes).
  • Scars:
    • Inspect hips, knees, and feet for surgical or traumatic scars.
  • Spine:
    • Check for scoliosis.
  • Gait:
    • Look for:
      • Asymmetric gait.
      • Reduced cadence.
      • Changes in foot progression angle.
      • Trendelenberg gait (indicating abductor weakness).
      • Quadriceps-deficient gait (knee hyperextension during stance phase).
      • Foot drop.
      • Compensatory movements at the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle.

Feel (Lying Down)

  • Pain:
    • Assess for tenderness or discomfort in affected areas.
  • Sensory Examination:
    • Test dermatomes and peripheral nerves; sensory function is typically intact.
  • Motor Power:
    • Assess strength in myotomes and peripheral nerves.
  • Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) Signs:
    • Check for Clonus, Babinski sign, and altered reflexes.

Move (Lying Down)

  • Range of Motion (ROM):
    • Evaluate ROM in all joints.
  • Hip Dislocation:
    • Screen for any signs of dislocation.
  • Correctibility of Deformities:
    • Test whether deformities can be corrected manually.

Finishing Steps

  • Take a full history.
  • Document findings systematically.
Back to top