Question: My mother has post-polio syndrome. She recently fell and fractured her spine. Do you have any recommendations on healing from a fracture with PPS? She’s experienced a lot of medical gaslighting regarding pain. I’m pushing for her to get a customized brace, but again, they aren’t looking into the option. Finally, I feel like physical therapy is pushing her …
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What Happens Over Time with a Spinal Fusion?
Question: I contracted polio at 10 months of age in 1954. At the age of 13 in 1966, my scoliosis had progressed to where my “S”-shaped spine was fused from the base of my neck to the bottom of my spine. My back has been solid and pain-free (except for several brief times when some areas became sore and healed …
Is Fatigue a Symptom of Post-Polio Syndrome?
Question: I had polio at age three. I am now 67 years old. I have no movement from my waist down. I have severe scoliosis with a 95° curve. I have had two spinal fusions. I now have post-polio syndrome. I am so tired. I cannot seem to transfer or function as I have before. I sleep for much of …
Will Individuals Who Have Had Mild Bulbar Polio with No Functional Limb Impacts Develop Post-Polio Limb Weakness?
Question: Will individuals who had mild bulbar polio with no functional limb impacts develop post-polio limb weakness? Is anything known about extra risks to recovery from major orthopedic surgery such as knee replacement to post-polio individuals? Marny Eulberg, MD: It is possible that persons who had mild bulbar polio but no functional limb weakness could develop post-polio limb weakness over …
Recovery after Carpel Tunnel Release Surgery
Question: I am a polio survivor who contracted polio at the age of two. I am now 61 years old. I started having pain after a fall two years ago and I’ve been told that I needed carpel tunnel release surgery. The muscle in my right thumb is starting to atrophy. I walk with two forearm crutches and have been …
Does PPS Cause Muscle Atrophy Later in Life or is Atrophy Caused by the Initial Polio?
Question: Does PPS cause muscle loss later in life or is atrophy caused by the initial polio attack? Dr. Maynard: Initial polio infection damage to nerves may result in a muscle’s atrophy (smaller or shrunken size) if a sufficiently large percent of nerves to an individual muscle died off. However, further dying off of damaged but not dead nerve cells …
Acupuncture Therapy for Polio Survivors
Question: I am a 77-year-old woman who had polio at the age of nine. I lost the use of my legs, but, with intensive physical therapy, I made a decent recovery enabling me to lead a pretty normal life—minus things like skiing, running, etc. I just had an evaluation at Rancho Los Amigos in California and the recommendation is that …
Dealing with Post-Polio Pain and Fatigue
Question: In your most recent column, you referred with clarity about new pain and fatigue that many polio survivors are experiencing. I have had the same symptoms for 12 years or so, but never with the same intensity and to the same degree as I do now. I am 74 years old and contracted polio in 1952 at age four. …
Facial Nerve Involvement in Polio Survivors
Question: I am a 74-year-old polio survivor. I have facial nerve involvement with paralysis of the right side of my face. Now I have problems with chewing, so I have to use a hand under my mandible to push it up. I have also started having laryngospasms with severe inspiratory stridor which has resulted in calling the EMS twice. Have …
Neurogenesis After Paralytic Polio
Question: About 20 years ago at one of your conferences, the state of the art said “neurogenesis in muscles affected by polio was limited. The nerves died, new sprouts formed new nerves, but these new sprouts only had a 50-year life span, and thus, post-polio. Therefore, don’t overuse your affected muscles.” I need new motor neurons in my left calf. …