 Sister Kenny Rehabilitation InstitutePost Polio ClinicPost Polio ClinicTo schedule a consultation or follow-up, call Sister Kenny Rehab Associates: Minneapolis, Abbott Northwestern Hospital St. Paul, United Hospital Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute created its Post Polio Clinic in 1982. A protocol was established for diagnosing and treating post polio syndrome. 
Post polio syndromePoliomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. The Institute's goal was to better define the extent of the problem as well as to define those issues that were remediable and those that should be addressed with braces, ambulatory aids, wheelchairs and adaptive equipment designed to enhance function in the presence of increased weakness and disability. Baseline measures are established in:
Source: Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Reviewed by: Jennine L. Speier, MD First Published: 03/22/2011 Last Reviewed: 03/01/2011 Initial visitA Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Associates physician performs the initial evaluation, which consists of a detailed history of the initial illness, the maximum level of recovery and the recent onset of new signs and symptoms. Other health issues are reviewed. The examination includes vital signs, gait examination, range of motion and flexibility, manual muscle test, neurological examination, and an evaluation of pain and tenderness. The assessment and implications are discussed with the patient. Also during the initial evaluation, a physical therapist assessment will establish an exercise program to address the issues defined in the initial medical examination. Further evaluations to define management of other features of post polio syndrome will subsequently be obtained as necessary, including:
The Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Associates physician will coordinate the services and share the information with patients and their primary care physicians. Services relevant to the management of individual cases of post polio syndrome are available on the campus of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and United Hospital in St. Paul and will be utilized when indicated. These services include:
A final medical report will summarize the evaluation and will include details of the various evaluations. Important features of the report are the manual muscle test, range of motion, gait description, pulmonary function and activities of daily living assessment. A treatment plan will be devised and explained to the patient. The patient and physician will establish measures that can be used by the patient to determine progress or change in function. These could include measures such as ranges of motion, distances walked, exercise endurance, laps swum, weights lifted and exercise tolerated. Follow-upTo schedule a consultation or follow-up, call Sister Kenny Rehab Associates: Minneapolis, Abbott Northwestern Hospital St. Paul, United Hospital The frequency of follow-up visits to the Post Polio Clinic is individualized based on the ongoing needs of the patient and the availability of local services for out of state individuals. Regularly scheduled returns to the clinic are valuable to evaluate subtle changes that might suggest a needed change in the patient's regimen. |