Post-polio syndrome: assessments, pathophysiology and progression.
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 postpolio 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.
Gandevia
S C
SC
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Allen
G M
GM
Middleton
J
J
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*