Post Polio Syndrome - Management & Treatment in Primary

PhysiotheraPy and Post Polio
Introduction
syndrome
Dara Meldrum and Deirdre Fitzgerald
Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of management of prior polio and post polio
syndrome. There is an increasing evidence base for the effectiveness of
physiotherapy in alleviating PPS associated physical problems. 1 Patients
with prior polio or post polio syndrome should have access to regular
physiotherapy assessment, and treatment should be made available when
needs are identified. These needs are likely to change with time, thus
patient-centred, lifelong physiotherapy is recommended.
Assessment
A comprehensive and detailed assessment is necessary at the first
consultation to establish a baseline from which future changes can be
evaluated and a treatment plan developed. An assessment will usually
have three components;
● neurological,
● musculoskeletal, and
● cardiorespiratory.
A detailed subjective history should be taken first and important aspects
of the subjective history are shown in Box 1.
PPS Mngt and Treat.indb 18 02/07/2007 16:07:50