LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY by NIRMALA VENKATESWARAN & VOLUNTEERS OF VIDYA VRIKSHAH

POLIOMYELITIS

What is Polio ?
Polio is a disease caused by a virus infection. Generally children under five years of age are susceptible to it.

A polio-stricken child goes through the following three stages:-
1.Acute Stage
2.Recovery Stage
3.Residual Stage

Acute Stage
This lasts for about a month. It is important that the child is given proper medical care. One should not massage the child or ask him/her to do exercises or sit, stand and play. Absolute cleanliness is important.

Recovery Stage.
At this stage, proper sitting and lying postures need to be stressed, to prevent deformity and contractures at a later stage. For a proper position splints, sandbags or pillows can be used.

Residual Stage.
1. As the child shows improvement, the aids and devices used could be modified.
2. The positioning and the exercise of the affected limbs must be continued to maintain the progress made.
3. In spite of this, if deformity or contracture occurs, the child could be referred for corrective measures like surgery or physiotherapy/occupational therapy.

Prevention

Polio can easily be prevented through polio immunisation and maintaining hygiene. Exercise is essential for any child with locomotor disability whether caused by congenital deformity , polio, paralysis, cerebral palsy,stroke or amputation. Click on exercises to view in detail. CLICK ON LINKS BELOW FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON Congenital Deformities Cerebral Palsy Paraplegia - Paralysis Stroke - Quadriplegia Polio Amputation RETURN TO INTRODUCTION RETURN TO LIST OF CONTENTS