Summary Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by viral destruction of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord and brain stem motor nuclei. Diagnosis is made clinically with presence of motor weakness with normal sensation in a patient with history of polio. Treatment may be nonoperative or operative depending on degree of functional limitation and presence of secondary contractures. Epidemiology Incidence has been eradicated in the United States with the use of a vaccine majority of individuals with infection (75%) will remain asymptomatic Etiology Associated conditions Postpolio syndrome an aging phenomenon where more nerve cells become inactive with time login to view 3 more bullets leads to increasing difficulty performing activities of daily living patients should exercise at sub-exhaustion levels to tone affected muscle groups without causing muscle breakdown Presentation Physical Exam hallmark is muscle weakness with normal sensation Treatment Postpolio Syndrome nonoperative limited exercise with periods of rest, +/-lightweight orthosis login to view 4 more bullets operative tendon transfers, contracture releases, and arthrodesis login to view 2 more bullets Polio foot deformities nonoperative lightweight orthoses login to view 3 more bullets operative contracture release, tendon transfer, and arthrodesis login to view 2 more bullets