Post-polio syndrome: assessments, pathophysiology and progression

Abstract

While there have been many reports of the decline in motor function in patients with prior-polio, there have been few reports of quantitative changes in muscle function and the pathophysiological mechanisms for the deterioration are poorly understood. This paper describes the establishment of a post-polio clinic and the principles adopted in quantitative muscle testing using twitch interpolation. Peripheral endurance and or voluntary drive to muscles is impaired in about 30% of prior-polio patients attending the clinic. Progression of these deficits is slow and not easily predicted by factors associated with the original illness.