Late muscular sequelae after poliomyelitis

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the neurophysiology in polio and the clinical and other parameters of polio. The neurophysiological investigations contribute to the understanding and management of patients with late polio. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) develops in patients with late polio. Studies using conventional EMG in patients with late polio give a relatively consistent general view of findings in the condition. Pain, a common symptom in late polio, may also be an important factor causing weakness and possibly disuse atrophy via inhibition of central neurons. Polio patients may develop normal or near normal force, but at a level that is closer to the upper capacity limit. It contributes to the development of fatigue, at any level where physiological fatigue may occur. It may be a risk for patients with known late polio that new symptoms a priori are ascribed to sequelae of polio. However, these patients have the same chance as people in general to have neurological disorders or, to some extent more frequently, in case they are wheelchair-borne or have secondary effects from joints and tendons due to lack of normal muscular support. Electrophysiological, clinical, biochemical, and morphological data complement each other to give an understanding behind late polio symptoms and form a basis for management strategies for each patient.