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.