Post-polio syndrome

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Approximately 300,000 survivors of the poliomyelitis epidemics in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s have some degree of residual disability today. After their initial rehabilitation, most of these patients lived successful lives for many years. Now, many of them are experiencing new problems traceable to their original disease. Dr Holman describes the late effects of polio, grouped under the general term “post-polio syndrome.” She discusses some of the theories for the decline in these patients' motor function, differential diagnosis of the syndrome, and goals of therapy, with special emphasis on emotional support and ongoing assessment of rehabilitation needs.