For Health Professionals

These timely informational videos are presented by dedicated experts who have significant experience in managing post-polio problems and in advocating for the survivors of polio. The presenters provide information and advice to the health professionals who treat polio survivors and also to survivors and their families. The following videos were recorded in 2014 during PHI’s 11th International Conference, “Promoting Healthy …

Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a commonly misunderstood disorder that causes fatigue, weakness, and pain in survivors of acute paralytic poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio. In response to the emergence of PPS, an expert panel – the Post-Polio Task Force – was convened in order to promote awareness and clarity, and advance medical knowledge of this disease. The Post-Polio Task Force …

PHI has published many articles over the years in the topic of anesthesia. Polio survivors might understandably be wary of receiving anesthesia. However, with the proper precautions and preparation, anesthesia can be safely administered to post-polio patients. The articles below can help you plan for surgery. Please always consult your physician if you have any questions. Safe, Successful Surgery Starts …

Advising all polio survivors not to exercise is as irresponsible as advising all polio survivors to exercise. Current evidence suggests that exercises are often beneficial for many polio survivors provided that the exercise program is designed for the individual following a thorough assessment and is supervised initially by knowledgeable health professionals. Polio survivors and their health professionals who are knowledgeable …

Remember Polio? Have You Heard About the Late Effects of Polio? Basic information brochure from PHI This introduction to information about the late effects of polio, is available as an attractive printed, 4-part brochure. First copy is free; 100 brochures are available for $40; 50 brochures for $20; 25 brochures for $10. Postage not included. Contact info@post-polio.org. Information For Health …

RNWEB®, part of RN®, featured “Polio patients take a second hit” by Vanessa C. Kramasz, PR, MSN, APRN, in its November 2005 edition. RN® serves registered nurses in various specialties, primarily those working in hospital-affiliated facilities. Roughly 80 percent of the editorial matter is clinical. A heavy emphasis on practical application of current deveopments is solidly grounded in pathophysiology. Legal …

Alexa Stuifbergen, RN, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701, USA, astuifbergen@mail.utexas.edu, has studied polio survivors for several years and has published the following: Harrison T, Stuifbergen A, Barriers that further disablement: A study of survivors of polio., J Neurosci Nurs 33: 3, 160-6, Jun, 2001. Becker H, Stuifbergen A, What makes …

Donald A. Neumann, PT, PhD, wrote the following article which was originally published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Polio: Its Impact on the People of the United States and the Emerging Profession of Physical Therapy (pdf) Reproduced from Neumann DA. Polio: Its Impact on the People of the United States and the Emerging Profession of Physical …

Leslie Drawdy, PT, DPT, from the Tucson area, shares her Physical Therapy – Tips for Successful Treatment of Clients with other physical therapists. Drawdy has seven years of experience as a physical therapist. She also serves on the medical advisory board of Polio Epic (Tucson ). She may be reached at leslie@drawdyonline.com.   This article was prepared by Marianne T. Weiss, …

In the nearly ten years that I have been treating polio survivors, I have found that the people who come to my door for assistance usually fall into one of two categories. Some of these people have not had contact with a physical therapist (PT) since their acute phase of polio. Others have become frustrated and often seriously depressed after …