In the early ‘80s, the new problems of polio survivors were brought to the attention of the medical community, and the name game began. Earlier articles referred to “overwork weakness” (Bennett & Knowlton, 1958), “late onset of respiratory failure” (Hamilton et al., 1970), “loss of ambulatory ability” (Anderson et al., 1972), and “delayed effects of poliomyelitis” (Yarnell, 1984).
To distinguish new, slowly progressive muscle weakness that is neurological in origin from musculoskeletal and/or wear and tear problems, Dalakas and colleagues (1984) used the term “late progressive post-poliomyelitis muscle atrophy.” Progressive post-polio muscular atrophy (PPMA) is defined as progressive new weakness and atrophy in muscles with clinical or subclinical signs of chronic partial denervation/reinnervation compatible with previous acute poliomyelitis. The term PPMA is not often used today, giving way to “post-polio syndrome” (see Post-Polio Syndrome), a definition which continues to evolve and appears to be narrowing (i.e., new muscle weakness as a requirement).
Many abbreviate post-polio syndrome as PPS, but this can be confused with “post-polio sequelae” because it has the same abbreviation. Post-polio sequelae refers to late-onset symptoms attributed to previous acute poliomyelitis, accounting for failure to maintain the level of recovery, and resulting in disability (Bruno, 1991).
The “late effects of polio” is a general term, most frequently used in countries that were or are a part of the United Kingdom, used to describe specific new health problems that are a result of polio-caused chronic impairments such as degenerative arthritis of overused joints, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion problems, tendinitis, bursitis, failing joint fusions, over-stressed joints due to compensatory body mechanics, etc. Post-polio syndrome is considered to be a subcategory of the late effects of polio.
The "late effects of poliomyelitis" is the name of choice for this Handbook because its contents are relevant for all survivors of polio, not just those meeting certain diagnostic criteria.
References
Anderson, A.O., Levine, S.A., & Gellert, H. (1972). Loss of ambulatory ability in patients with old anterior poliomyelitis. Lancet, 2, 1061-1063.
Bennett, R.L., & Knowlton, G.C. (1958). Overwork weakness in partially denervated skeletal muscle. Clinical Orthopaedics, 12, 22.
Bruno, R.L. (1991). Post-polio sequelae: Research and treatment in the second decade. Orthopedics, 14(11), 1169-1170.
Dalakas, M.C., Sever, J.L., Madden, D.L., Papadopoulos, N.M., Shekarchi, J.C., Albrecht, P., & Krezlewicz, A. (1984). Late postpoliomyelitis muscular atrophy: Clinical, virologic, and immunologic studies. Reviews of Infectious Diseases (Supplement), 6(2), S562-S567.
Hamilton, E.A., Nichols, P.J.R., & Tait, G.B.W. (1970). Annals of Physical Medicine, 5, 223.
Yarnell, S.K. (1984). Delayed effects of poliomyelitis. Western Journal of Medicine, 140(4), 603.