POSTPOLIO MUSCULAR DYSFUNCTION - RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MUSCLE ENERGY-METABOLISM, SUBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS, MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING, ELECTROMYOGRAPHY, AND MUSCLE STRENGTH

Eleven patients with previous polio were studied. The concentration of energy-related metabolites and energy charge was measured from the va stus lateralis muscle, as was isometric muscle strength of knee extens ion. Cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris muscle was calcula ted from magnetic resonance imaging. Reinnervation was studied using m acroelectromyography. Muscle weakness, pain, and newly acquired muscle weakness in the legs was estimated by the patients. The findings in t he legs in which the patients experienced new loss of muscle function were compared with the stable legs. There were no significant differen ces between these groups in any of the objectively measured variables. Only hip pain correlated with new loss of muscle function. Creatine p hosphate was decreased in 5 patients. The symptoms and subjective musc le strength did not correlate with any of the objective measurements. There were no significant relationships between energy-related metabol ites and postpolio symptoms. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.