It is rare for physicians in the United States to see the
effects of polio and most will never encounter it in their
career. There are reported to be about 450,000 polio survivors
in the U.S. who have some disability from prior polio infection.
My patient (now in her 70's) was kind enough to allow these
photos of her left arm paralysis from polio she contracted at
age 9. Her story is amazing. She was kept bedridden in a
"crippled childrens home" in New Jersey for over a year. During
that year every one of her children roommates died. She did not
attend school and even though she could walk, she was kept in
bed. Her weight ballooned up to 250 lbs from eating and lack of
activity. Her parents finally took her home because they could
see her health declining and her muscles wasting. Post polio
syndrome is a well recognized diagnosis that occurs years after
polio recovery. Polio survivors experience new muscle weakening
and atrophy. General fatigue and weakness is common in post
polio syndrome, as it is in my pat