Post-Polio Syndrome

Over 40 years ago, polio was largely brought under control by the widespread use of two effective vaccines, one by Dr. Jonas Salk and one by Dr. Albert Sabin. (Read about "Immunizations") But for those who got polio, there are lingering problems that could strike them again. It is called Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS). As many as 250,000 U.S. polio survivors may have PPS, the March of Dimes says, and as many as 40 percent of polio survivors may get it.

Causes

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) says PPS is caused by the death of individual nerve terminals in the motor units that remain after the initial polio attack. The March of Dimes says the most widely accepted hypothesis is that PPS results from a degeneration of motor nerves that sprouted new connections years earlier to make up for other nerves killed by polio. (Read about "Nervous System") Because the surviving motor nerves have been supplying many more muscle fibers than nature intended, they may wear out prematurely.

The normal aging process and the overuse or disuse of muscles may be contributing factors in development of PPS.

Symptoms

Symptoms according to NINDS and the March of Dimes include:

• fatigue
• slowly progressive muscle weakness
• muscle and joint pain
• muscular atrophy

The severity of PPS depends upon how seriously the survivors were affected by the first polio attack, according to NINDS. Doctors estimate the incidence of PPS at about 25 percent of the people who had polio and survived. The only way to be sure a person has PPS is through a neurological examination aided by other laboratory studies (for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuroimaging, electrophysiological studies and muscle biopsies or spinal fluid analysis). (Read about "MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging" "Biopsy" "Laboratory Testing")

Treatment

There is currently no cure for PPS. NINDS says that victims should follow standard healthy lifestyles including a healthy diet and moderate exercise. A physical therapist can help with rehabilitation exercises. (Read about "Rehabilitation") The March of Dimes says doctors may advise patients to curtail physical activities and take rest periods during the day, including during working hours. Many doctors also advise more severely affected patients to use wheelchairs part-time or full-time, even if they can walk without them.

Related Information:

    Neuromuscular Diseases

    Nervous System

    The Brain