“Polio Feet”
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: WINTER'S HERE! WELCOME POLIO FEET?
Polio survivors have blood flow to the skin of the legs and feet that's too good, causing hot body core blood to dump its heat, making the leg blood vessels contract and legs and feet get cold and purple. Polio survivors' skin temperature is 20° LOWER than the outside temperature, so 65° acts like 45° at the surface of polio survivors' skin.
Using drugs that increase hot blood flowing to the legs (like Minipress) can help if the legs are first insulated when they're warm by wearing polypropylene socks. In addition, we suggest that Polio survivors suggest to their doctors that:
EMGs or nerve conduction tests must be performed in a room that is at least 75o F to prevent false abnormal readings and
that a heated blanket is necessary in the recovery room after polio survivors have surgery (Bruno, 1996).
There are several articles on “polio feet” and keeping legs warm (in the Index under the subject “Temperature”) in the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS.