Management of adult poliomyelitis patients in the Solomon Islands.

An account is given of a realistic rehabilitation service for the treatment of crawling adult poliomyelitic patients in an area of the developing world. A classification of the crawling patterns encountered is presented. The simple methods by which rehabilitation was carried out for 120 patients are described. Methods consisted of surgery to straighten and align the lower limbs when necessary, the fitting of inexpensive appliances, and the teaching of crutch walking. At long-term review, 80 percent of the patients had responded satisfactorily to treatment. Rehabilitation in an economically and medically poor country can be justified.