Many polio survivors report that their feet and hands, especially in more severely affected limbs, have always been cold to the touch, their skin a purplish color. As they age, their limbs may become more sensitive to pain as the temperature decreases (Owen, 1985). When polio survivors were cooled in the laboratory from 86º F to 68º F, motor nerves functioned as if they were at 50º F, and survivors lost 75% of their hand muscle strength (Bruno et al., 1985). In nearly all cases, the “polio cold limb” does NOT mean that the arterial circulation is faulty or that healing will take longer than someone with normal circulation.

The body’s thermostat, the area of the brain that causes blood vessels to contract, and the hypothalamus, the part that controls the body’s (inner environment) core temperature, may have been affected during the original poliovirus infection. An atrophied extremity will also have less insulation due to less muscle mass and tissue. Additionally, polio often affected motor nerves in the spinal cord of the sympathetic nervous system that send the message to the capillaries of the skin to contract when it is cold (Bodian, 1949). Consequently, as the outside temperature drops, the capillaries do not contract and warm blood flows to the surface of the skin resulting in excessive loss of heat and cooling of the limbs. When the limbs cool, veins narrow, trapping venous (blue) blood in the capillaries. This causes the feet to look blue. The motor nerves of cold limbs conduct more slowly; the muscles contract less efficiently. Cold also chills tendons and ligaments (like putting a rubber band in the freezer), making them stiff and movement of weak muscles more difficult.

Blood vessels do exactly the opposite of what they do in the cold during a hot bath. Heat causes the arteries to relax, and oxygenated (red) blood rushes to the skin. It becomes bright red. Survivors are advised to be cautious when getting out of the bathtub because blood can suddenly pool in the legs and can cause a drop in blood pressure resulting in dizziness or even fainting (Bruno, 1996). Chronic pooling of blood in the legs may cause foot swelling (see Foot and Leg Swelling) and increases with age.

Other recommendations related to cold intolerance include: dress as if it were 20º F colder, dress in layers and wear heat-retaining socks or undergarments made of polypropylene (e.g., Gortex or Thinsulate) or wool, and put on clothes immediately after showering when the skin is warm. Heated blankets may be necessary in the recovery room after surgery (Bruno, 1996). 

References

Bodian, D. (1949). Histopathological basis of clinical findings in poliomyelitis. American Journal of Medicine, 6, 563-578.

Bruno, R.L. (1996). Preventing complications in polio survivors undergoing surgery [Monograph]. Harvest Press, 6(1).

Bruno, R.L., Johnson J.C., & Berman W.S. (1985). Motor and sensory functioning with changing ambient temperature in post-polio subjects: Autonomic and electrophysiological correlates. In LS. Halstead & 0.0. Wiechers (Eds.), Late Effects of Poliomyelitis. Miami, FL: Symposia Foundation.

Owen, R.R. (1985). Polio residuals clinic and exercise protocol: Research implications. In LS. Halstead & D.O. Wiechers (Eds.), Late Effects of Poliomyelitis (pp. 207-219). Miami, FL: Symposia Foundation.