Post-Polio Syndrome Resources

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus.  Most often, polio survivors start to experience gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection.  The most common symptoms include slowly progressive muscle weakness, fatigue (both generalized and muscular), and a gradual decrease in the size of muscles (muscle atrophy).  Pain from joint degeneration and increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine) is common and may precede the weakness and muscle atrophy.  Some individuals experience only minor symptoms while others develop visible muscle weakness and atrophy.

Resource: Post-Polio Syndrome Fact Sheet from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke