Appliances and surgery for poliomyelitis in developing countries

Death before maturity is the usual fate of the untreated crawling crippled child in developing countries. Most children with poliomyelitis, however, when upright and walking with supports or following surgery, are accepted by the community, educated by parents and relatives, and employable when they reach maturity. It is more economical to prevent 100 polio cases than to treat one hopelessly crippled child. It is often quicker to straighten 100 deformed limbs by simple subcutaneous surgeries than to treat a single patient with complicated procedures. It costs less for 100 crawling paralyzed children to walk in simple, locally made braces and clogs, than for 1 patient to be mobile in expensive imported appliances and boots. It is essential to educate or rehabilitate patients in addition to making them mobile. The final aim should be patients returned to their own village or town, accepted and integrated into their own communities, and earning their own living among their own friends. This chapter is discussed in further detail in both English and French in my Website, . This site also includes comprehensive information on both the manufacture of the simple appliances described and various surgical details. This information is also available on CD-ROM.