Postpoliomyelitis muscle weakness: a prospective study of quadriceps strength.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of progressive postpoliomyelitis muscle weakness (PPMW) in affected individuals 20 to 40 years after the initial polio infection. Over a three-year period, the isometric and isokinetic strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle was studied in seven symptomatic patients with previous poliomyelitis (mean = 38.3 years from infection) to determine if quadriceps strength decreased during the three years. Each patient had a quadriceps affected by polio on one side and a clinically nonaffected quadriceps on the contralateral limb. The maximal isometric force and the peak isokinetic force of the affected quadriceps (AQ) and nonaffected quadriceps (NQ) muscles were tested on a computerized isokinetic dynamometer machine at six-month intervals. Isometric force increased significantly, by 29% per year (p less than .02) in the AQ and by 14% per year (p less than .05) in the NQ. Paired analysis to determine the change in strength between the affected and nonaffected muscles for the isometric data showed a mean nonsignificant increase in the AQ of 14% per year (p = .01). The change in peak isokinetic force demonstrated a significant increase in the AQ of 35% per year (p less than .05); whereas, the NQ peak isokinetic force increased 15% per year which was not statistically significant. Paired analysis to determine the change in strength between the affected and nonaffected muscles for the isokinetic data showed a nonsignificant relative increase in the AQ of 20% per year (p less than .06).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)