Foot Drop of Contralateral Limb after Deformity Correction in a Polio Patient: A Case Report

Postpoliomyelitis syndrome is a common neurological disorder that occurs in patients who have experienced paralytic poliomyelitis. Recently,as a result of vaccination against poliovirus, incidence of poliomyelitis is exceedingly low. However, many patients with postpoliosyndrome may encounter anesthesia when undergoing surgery, such as for correction of foot deformity and other operations. We reporton a 45-year-old woman who experienced paralysis of her contralateral limb after operation on the left foot under spinal anesthesia. Postoperative electromyography/nerve conduction study (EMG/NCS) was performed in order to determine the cause of paralysis. Motorpower of the sequelae involved leg showed improvement with time and recovered fully to the preoperative level at six months afterthe index operation. A precise evaluation, including a physical examination and EMG/NCS, should be performed preoperatively whenspinal anesthesia is planned for postpolio syndrome patients. KCI Citation Count: 0