Pain: It Gets Our Attention

Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced among aging polio survivors, reported by 80-100% of those diagnosed with post-polio syndrome and occurring at an average of 9.5 locations.

This video, from a panel discussion held at PHI's 11th International Conference in 2014, discusses the different types of pain that are most frequent and introduces the concept of 'pain generators.’ The presenters were Ann Crocker, William M. DeMayo, MD, and Frederick M. Maynard, MD. Using the example of disabling low back pain in the sacroiliac area, the presenters illustrate the process of doctor and patient working together to identify pain generators and how this leads to effective treatment strategies.

They also discuss roles for medications, injections, therapy, exercise, assistive devices and orthotics, and activity change, particularly as they apply to the most common post-polio pain syndromes, including shoulder pain, wrist/hand pain, hip/knee/leg pain and back pain.