i think this was a bug that was fixed.
Often, at least in the PS2 version of the game, a character would walk with their backs at a 90 degree angle to their pelvis. I'm thinking lag caused it, i dont really know.

I know this happened a couple times on account of getting hit by a very hard physical AoE, for example Serket's Earthbreaker on lower levels.
but it would also happen sometimes after getting raised.