| Though the polio vaccine has nearly eradicated the | | | | This is especially true since the virus tends to attack |
| polio virus among the populations of industrialized | | | | children whose bodies are still in the process of |
| nations, people whose lives were affected by | | | | growing and thus especially vulnerable to muscle |
| paralytic polio before the vaccine became largely | | | | paralysis. Muscle groups weakened by polio are unable |
| available in the late 1950âs and | | | | to work in conjunction with muscle groups that are |
| 1960âs continue to live with after-effects | | | | functioning properly and are often |
| today. The virus, which usually stays in the body for | | | | âpulledâ to the stronger side leading |
| a period of two weeks, can still cause permanent | | | | to difference in limb length, spinal distortions, and |
| damage. It attacks the nervous system, which in turn | | | | various foot deformities. Survivors of polio are |
| causes various muscles to become paralyzed. Even | | | | known to suffer from several long term foot, limb |
| after the virus has left the body, some of these | | | | and spinal deformities such as scoliosis, flat feet, |
| muscle groups never retain the same level of | | | | flaccid feet, high arch (also known as cavus arch), |
| function. | | | | hammertoe, bunions, claw toe and corns. |