Treatment

Acute Poliomyelitis

There is no specific curative treatment for poliomyelitis and treatment is supportive while the body clears the infection naturally. Cases are admitted to hospital for bed rest, pain relief and monitoring. People with respiratory difficulties require tracheostomy and artificial ventilation in an intensive care setting until recovery commences.

Many people with paralytic polio recover completely within several weeks, and in most cases the function of the paralysed muscles recovers to some degree. During the acute illness and early recovery phase physiotherapy treatment is used to splint limbs preventing deformity and to exercise recovering muscles.

People with residual paralysis receive further intensive rehabilitation including-

• Provision of aids – splints, callipers, walking aids, wheelchairs etc.
• Surgery – tendon transfers, fusion of joints, operation to lengthen or shorten limbs

Late Effects of Polio and the Post Polio Syndrome

People with late functional deterioration are likely to benefit from a specialist reassessment of their case. There are a number of hospital clinics that specialise in the follow up and care of this group of people, where a multidisciplinary team approach is used. The aim of reassessment and treatment is to identify any remedial cause(s) of increasing disability and to enable the person to maximise their existing residual capacity.

Intensive treatment of arthritis with more modern drugs, injections into joints and physiotherapy is used to relieve pain and improve limb function. TENS machine and acupuncture are helpful in pain relief. Surgical treatments may be carried out including replacement of osteoarthritic joints, laminectomy (spinal surgery) and operations to release trapped nerves (e.g. carpal tunnel surgery) relieving pain and numbness and improving motor function. Drug treatments and physical therapy can be offered to alleviate the pain of osteoporosis and strengthen weakened bones. Physiotherapy, exercise programmes, hydrotherapy, massage, and other types of rehabilitation can help to maximise and improve existing function. Dieticians can provide advice and help with weight loss. People may also be provided with more modern aids to facilitate limb function and with methods of mechanical ventilation that can be used at home to help with sleep apnoea and alleviate breathlessness.

Amended June 2008