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Suggest Treatment For Post Polio Affects
Question: I had polio in 1949 T THE AGE OF 16. i NOW Have post polio. I am taking phisical therepy(sp) . I ythink that it has become too much. I do not recover as I did at first. I do not like to complain, but do not know when enough is enough. No one knows much about post polio. I have been told that when I get tired to stop. Just when and how much do I do to reach this point. The person working with me is kind and wants to help, we do not know enough. The work on my upper body seems ok after 24 hours. My legs are not better after 4 days. I dread going in to work out, but I use a rollng walker for all but short distances. Then I use a cane. I want very much to get better, but just as strongly do not want to get
worse. Can you help with guidelines. I live in a fairly small community, One doctor is learning about this problem, but it is a lot to learn I think. The only other doctor I have seen is 3 hours away and the best i have been told is 6 to 8 hours away. Can you give me any advise?!
worse. Can you help with guidelines. I live in a fairly small community, One doctor is learning about this problem, but it is a lot to learn I think. The only other doctor I have seen is 3 hours away and the best i have been told is 6 to 8 hours away. Can you give me any advise?!
Brief Answer:
Take treatment as advised and carry physiotherapy under guidance
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Polio is associated with damage to anterior horn cells and neuronal loss.
Since body has reserve too, loss of neurons doesn't lead to complete weakness.
After the acute attack, there is a stable stage with some amount of weakness and atrophy.
With progressive age, all body organs lose some function and so occurs with already decreased nerves in polio affected region.
This leads to aggravated weakness and atrophy of polio limb known as post polio syndrome.
For management you should rule out any compressive lesion at spine.
Exercise should be isometric and not too much. Over exercises may lead to further deterioration.
Physiotherapy under guidance will be helpful.
Get a neurologist opinion and examination for need of any spine imaging.
Multi vitamin especially vitamin B 12 should be supplemented.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Take treatment as advised and carry physiotherapy under guidance
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Polio is associated with damage to anterior horn cells and neuronal loss.
Since body has reserve too, loss of neurons doesn't lead to complete weakness.
After the acute attack, there is a stable stage with some amount of weakness and atrophy.
With progressive age, all body organs lose some function and so occurs with already decreased nerves in polio affected region.
This leads to aggravated weakness and atrophy of polio limb known as post polio syndrome.
For management you should rule out any compressive lesion at spine.
Exercise should be isometric and not too much. Over exercises may lead to further deterioration.
Physiotherapy under guidance will be helpful.
Get a neurologist opinion and examination for need of any spine imaging.
Multi vitamin especially vitamin B 12 should be supplemented.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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