[Walking in children after poliomyelitis].

Between 1983 and 1990 the authors examined 630 children who had suffered from poliomyelitis, mostly between the age of one and three, at an average age of 9 years 3 months. Half were unable to walk because of residual paralysis. Operation was carried out on 252 children. Most underwent soft tissue release at the hips, knees or tendo Achilles. Triple arthrodesis was carried out on 24. Calipers, produced locally, were used, and trunk bracing was not employed. The average duration of treatment was 3 months, with gradual achievement of correction. Vascular complications occurred in one leg, there were 5 paralyses of the sciatic nerve and 4 fractures of the upper tibia. One hundred children who were not able to walk before operation were reviewed. Sixty five were walking and able to go to school. The best results were achieved before the age of 12.