Can a Concussion Cause the Onset of Post-Polio Syndrome?

Question: Can a Grade 3 concussion cause the onset of post-polio syndrome (PPS)? I developed the symptoms during recovery from a concussion and have been diagnosed as having PPS.

Answer: Regarding your question about a Grade 3 concussion (the most serious level): After headaches and cognitive problems (poor concentration, attention and memory), fatigue is one of the most common post-concussion symptoms. Frequently, it is reported as “very low energy for doing anything” and “feeling exhausted after doing nothing.” A need to sleep 12 to 16 hours per day is common. When a polio survivor has a serious concussion, these symptoms may mimic those of PPS or aggravate mild, non-distressing fatigue present before the head injury. If an individual’s
usual activity level is seriously reduced due to post-concussion fatigue and/or other symptoms for more than a few days, disuse weakness and fatigue can rapidly develop.

This type of new weakness and fatigue may, in fact, be no different than “typical PPS” new weakness and fatigue. However, it does have an other explainable cause (diagnosis) for developing, and
therefore does not meet the most commonly accepted definition for PPS (March of Dimes. Post-polio syndrome: identifying best practices in diagnosis and care, www.marchofdimes.com/files/
PPSreport.pdf). Regardless of what it is called, it is especially important for a polio survivor whose PPS symptoms begin after a concussion to enter a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes appropriate, individually prescribed exercise. A well-designed exercise program undertaken over several months has an excellent chance of restoring function to pre-injury levels and essentially resolving PPS.

Post-Polio Health (Vol. 26, No. 3, Summer 2010)