Patient's question:
I had post-polio syndrome in childhood. I've always had only a slight limp when walking, with no other obvious symptoms, but in the past two years, my lower limbs have become noticeably weak. Has post-polio syndrome progressed?Doctor's answer:
Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by the poliovirus. If this disease occurs and the child does not leave behind any sequelae, it cannot be referred to as post-polio syndrome. The sequelae of poliomyelitis can only be called post-polio syndrome when the affected child does not fully recover and leaves behind sequelae. For example, muscle atrophy, joint deformities, limb lengthening and shortening, difficulty walking, and other conditions that occur in children after the illness. Generally, sequelae can be referred to as post-polio syndrome two years after the onset of the disease. In your case, the weakness in the lower limbs is considered to be related to the underlying condition, with weakened nerve function in the lower limbs.