Patient's question:
I am 23 years old. When I was a child, I was around 3 years old and contracted polio. I had surgery to correct it. Now, my two legs differ in length by more than 10 cm, and their diameters are uneven. The left leg, which was affected by the disease, had surgery, while the right leg is normal. The left leg is weak, and can it be treated further?Doctor's answer:
Severe polio patients suffer from muscle atrophy, where nerve function cannot be restored, leading to deformities in the affected limbs. In some cases, sequelae may appear decades after infection, such as progressive neuromuscular weakness, pain, and worsening paralysis in the affected limbs. Based on your situation, you suspect post-polio muscular dystrophy syndrome. It is recommended that the hospital conduct relevant examinations and start active and passive exercises as soon as possible to prevent further muscle atrophy. Acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy can also be used to promote functional recovery.