Post-Polio Syndrome Flashcards
What causes Poliomyelitis
Poliovirus
True or False; Poliomyelitis can only cause permanent paralysis.
False; it can cause temporary or permanent paralysis
Exposure to polio was through the:
GI Tract
True or False; you can get post-polio syndrome after inapparent infection
True
The period of recovery lasts for how long?
Weeks to years
Recovery can be complicated by:
Developmental growth and reconstructive surgery
How long does neurological stability last?
> 15 years
How many patients with post-polio syndrome experience fatigue, new muscle weakness, and loss of functional abilities?
25-40%
What is the universal criteria for post-polio syndrome?
History of Polio
Period of partial or complete functional recovery followed by relative stability lasting at least 15 years
Development of new neurologic weakness and abnormal fatigue, with or without other symptoms
Symptoms persist for at least 1 year
Exclusion of other neurologic, medical, or orthopedic problems as reasons for the symptoms
What types of cells does the Poliovirus destroy?
Anterior horn cells
Not destroyed anterior horn cells __________ some of the orphaned fibers
Reinnervate
What is the order of the proposed etiology of poliovirus?
Orphaned cells are reinnervated by anterior horn cells that were not affected. The branching and cutting back of neural processes is the basis of recovery. Stress and overuse of the enlarged motor units lead to distal degeneration of axons and new weakness. Body response is compounded by age-related changes that typically occur in the nervous system.
What are the clinical features of post-polio syndrome?
Fatigue
New Weakness
Pain
Cold Intolerance
Decreased Function
What are some hallmark signs of fatigue?
Tiredness, exhaustion
Ability to concentrate is affected
Mental fatigue may impact psychosocial function and lead to decreased quality of life
“Hitting a wall”
What is the cause of fatigue for patients with PPS?
Defects in neuromuscular transmission caused by the degeneration of the distal motor unit
Where does new weakness occur?
In muscles already involved and muscles that did not clinically show any effects of the original polio infection
True or false; the new weakness is symmetric, usually distal and rapidly progressive in nature.
False; the weakness is asymmetric, usually distal and slowly progressive in nature
True or false; overuse has been associated with the new muscle weakness
True
What type of assistive device should be considered?
Wheelchair
What can increased muscle weakness may lead to?
Impaired balance which can lead to greater risk for falls
Is pain from the polio disease itself?
No, but it most likely manifests from the impairments, microtrauma, poor posture, etc.
How does pain manifest itself?
Due to overuse of muscles and increased ligamentous stress secondary to weakness
Patients with muscle pain will exhibit:
Higher levels of fatigue, lower QOL, poor physical function and greater depression
What are clinical features of post-polio syndrome?
Joints can be come unstable when muscles are weak or when excessive daily physical activity overstresses these muscles and their surrounding soft tissues
Mobility is often reduced in the presence of joint or muscle pain, which then leads to muscular atrophy
