Franklin Delano Roosevelt: the Diagnosis of Poliomyelitis Revisited

Revisiting the ailments of famous historical persons in light of contemporary medical understanding has become a common academic hobby. Public discussion of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR) diagnosis of poliomyelitis following his sudden onset of paralysis in 1921 has received just such a revisitation. Recently, this 2003 historical analysis has been widely referenced on the Internet and in biographies raising speculation that his actual diagnosis should have been Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a non-contagious disease of the peripheral nervous system rather than poliomyelitis.

Source: PM and R - May 9, 2016 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: John F. Ditunno, Bruce E. Becker, Gerald J. Herbison Source Type: research