What does Polio “Look” Like?
Original Post: When people think of disability especially polio, they automatically think legs. I was wondering how many polio survivors had arms that were more affected? I, myself never got the use of my right arm and hand back, and my shoulder is atrophied.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: POLIO ARMS and POLIO LEGS. . . . I can’t answer this question specifically regarding how many polio survivors had just one arm affected.
Combining our 1985 and 1990 Post Polio Survey data,
13% of polio survivors had at least one arm acutely affected while 28% had all four limbs affected;
24% of polio survivors had one limb affected while 34% had two limbs affected, which usually included one leg.
But, obviously, some had one or both arms affected the latter sometimes referred to as "upside-down polio.” The “typical" polio survivor had their left foot remain paralyzed, after the acute stage was over.