Cause of lower limb atrophy due to poliomyelitis
Disease description:
An elderly family member has poliomyelitis, and recently I noticed some lower limb atrophy. I would like to ask: what causes lower limb atrophy due to poliomyelitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Poliomyelitis refers to an acute disease caused by infection with the poliovirus. The poliovirus is a neurotropic virus that primarily damages motor neurons, especially those in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Motor neuron damage leads to muscle paralysis, while sensation and autonomic function are often unaffected. Limb paralysis can result in disuse muscle atrophy, and since motor neurons exert a trophic influence on the muscles they control, degeneration of motor neurons may also lead to denervation muscle atrophy.
