What is post-polio syndrome?

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that can develop several decades after you have had polio (poliomyelitis). It affects the muscles and nerves, causing weakness, tiredness, pain, and other symptoms. Only people who have had polio can get PPS, but PPS is not the same illness as polio. Having PPS does not mean that you have developed polio again. Unlike polio, PPS is not contagious. The poliovirus damages the nerves that control muscles. This is what causes muscle weakness in a person who has polio. In people who at least partially recover from polio, the nerves that are still working grow branches that connect to some of the muscles that have lost nerve connections. When this happens, you usually regain at least partial use of that muscle. Many doctors now believe that these new nerve connections are not as strong as the original nerves and may break down after 20 or more years. When these nerve connections break down, the muscles they control may become weaker. This may be why many people who had polio get PPS

what are the symptoms?

Symptoms of PPS tend to develop very slowly. The main symptoms are new muscle weakness, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. Muscles whose nerves were damaged when you had polio are the ones that may weaken and waste away (atrophy) because of PPS. However, it is possible that when you had polio, not all of the affected nerves caused noticeable muscle weakness. Therefore, you may develop weakness in muscles that you did not realize had been affected by polio. If the muscles of your chest or throat were affected, you may develop swallowing or breathing problems. You may have back problems if your abdominal muscles were affected. Other symptoms may include sleep problems, an inability to tolerate cold temperatures, and increased stress.

How is post-polio syndrome diagnosed?

A diagnosis of post-polio syndrome is based on your medical history—specifically, your experience with polio and how well you recovered from it—and your current symptoms. Lab tests may be used to check for other possible causes of your symptoms. You may require repeated physical exams as symptoms develop.