Post-Polio Syndrome - Treatment Overview
Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is an ongoing condition. Your treatment will focus on controlling symptoms and learning new ways to stay active despite having muscle weakness. Careful exercise and proper rest are the basis of successful treatment. Other aspects of treatment may include physical and occupational therapy, assistive devices such as canes or braces, medicines for pain or sleep problems, and respiratory therapy to help with breathing problems.
Exercise and rest
A continued program of moderate exercise and proper rest is the most important part of ongoing treatment for PPS. Staying active and conserving your energy may seem like conflicting goals. But both are needed to control your symptoms. With your doctor's guidance, a physical therapist can design an exercise program for you and make sure that you do the exercises safely and correctly without overexerting yourself. Overexertion can make symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, and pain worse.
Children with autism find it difficult to socialize with their peers and many of our children with autism lack appropriate play skills. The ability for our children to play is important because it can develop language and encourage imagination. Play can also lessen our children’s isolation and create opportunities to interact with their peers. Children often connect through play and having similar likes and dislikes. My typical child Hayden will identify friends by what they like to play with and...
Read the Play With Me article > >
- Weight lifting and other strengthening exercises can help with muscle weakness and joint pain, as long as they don't increase fatigue during or after exercise. Do not do strengthening exercises more often than every 2 to 3 days so that you do not overuse muscles that were damaged by polio.
- Moderate aerobic exercise may also help relieve fatigue by building enough endurance so that you can do more activity before getting tired. The goal of both strengthening and aerobic exercise is to work up to, but not beyond, a point at which you start to get tired. Doing exercises in water (other than swimming) can be helpful.
- Stretching and muscle relaxation exercises may help relieve muscle pain and reduce stress.
- Regularly scheduled rest periods or naps during the day can help limit fatigue. When you can, plan activities around your need for rest periods. Make adjustments in your daily schedule so that your routine is less stressful or tiring. Have a family member or friend help with errands and household chores. Eliminate unnecessary tasks or activities that aren't a valuable use of your time and energy.
Ice, heat, and physical therapies
- Muscle pain may be treated with ice, heat, massage, or electrical stimulation. If the muscle pain is related to poor posture, correcting your posture under the guidance of a physical therapist can help.
- Joint pain may improve with ice and heat therapy.
- If you have abnormal curvature of the spine, a physical therapist can also help you with posture, body mechanics, and other back care.
Assistive devices
A variety of assistive devices can be helpful for people with PPS:
- If you have joint pain (in your knees or wrists, for instance), your doctor may prescribe a brace or splint to help hold the joint in its proper position, which may reduce pain.
- A back brace can often improve curvature of the spine (scoliosis).
- Problems doing everyday tasks because of weak arms and shoulders may be treated using arm supports and other types of splints. An occupational therapist can help with these problems.
- Leg braces, crutches, or a cane may help if you have problems walking or climbing stairs. If walking is very hard for you, a wheelchair or powered chair may help you get around more easily.
Medicines for fatigue, pain, and sleep problems
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Post-Polio Syndrome Topics
Today in Brain and Nervous System
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.