A painful skeleton disarticulated by acute anterior poliomyelitis

Abstract

Introduction: Acute anterior poliomyelitis (AAP) is an endemic human disease caused by a worldwide spreading enterovirus. The late consequences of AAP include a new picture of muscle weakness together with abnormal muscle fatigue, amyotrophy, and myoarticular pain, configuring a condition known as post-polio syndrome (PPS). This new condition comprises a specific set of health problems due to the polio virus, resulting in decreased functional capacity and/or the onset of new disabilities. Case Report: A 53-year-old female, human resources analyst, reported that she had been shaken by AAP at the age of 2. Currently she was presented with gait on the knees, osteo-myoarticular pain, inadequate synergies of movements. Imaging exams showed great disproportion in the pelvic region with marked amyotrophy and liposubstitution of the muscle, more evident in the left leg. Although there was some preservation of the plantar flexor muscles, interstitial edema was evident. In the thighs there was amyotrophy with liposubstitution of the muscle, more evident on the left. In the left knee joint there was a lesion of the cruciate ligaments with extensive deep chondral erosions in the load area of the femorotibial compartment, with exposure of the subchondral bone, without edema. Osteopenia also affected it. Conclusion: Through the data obtained in this study, it can be seen that there are many reasons why patients affected by post-polio syndrome develops bone deformities and joint interferences that cause the individual to suffer losses and aggravations in health and quality of life. Nevertheless, there is a lack of theoretical framework available in the literature, justifying the importance of further studies on this topic.