MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Muscular dystrophy

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Muscular dystrophy

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Superficial anterior muscles

Alternative names Return to top

Inherited myopathy; MD

Definition Return to top

Muscular dystrophy is a group of disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

The group of diseases called muscular dystrophies (MD) includes many inherited disorders such as:

Becker's muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy
myotonic dystrophy
myotonia congenita

These disorders are distinguished from each other by the type of inheritance (sex-linked, dominant gene, recessive gene), the age when symptoms appear, and the types of symptoms that develop. Because these are inherited disorders, risks include a family history of muscular dystrophy.

Lambert-Eaton syndrome and myasthenia gravis also have symptoms that may be similar to early stages of some types of muscular dystrophies, so these disorders must be ruled out when muscular dystrophies are diagnosed.

Symptoms Return to top

Symptoms vary with the different types of muscular dystrophy. Some types, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, are ultimately fatal while other types have associated muscle weakness but cause little disability and are associated with normal life expectancy.

The muscles primarily affected vary, but can be around the pelvis, shoulder, face or elsewhere. The age of onset can vary as well, with more severe subtypes tending to occur earlier in childhood.

muscle weakness
- progressive
- frequent falls
- delayed development of muscle motor skills
- problems walking (delayed walking)
- difficulty using one or more muscle groups (the specific muscles affected depends on the type of MD)
- eyelid drooping (ptosis)
- drooling
mental retardation (only present in some types of MD)
hypotonia (low muscle tone)
joint contractures (clubfoot, clawhand, or others)
scoliosis (curved spine)

Signs and tests Return to top

Examination and history help to distinguish the type of MD. Specific muscle groups are affected by different types of MD. Often, there is a loss of muscle mass (wasting), which may be disguised in some types of muscular dystrophy by an accumulation of fat and connective tissuethat makes the muscle appear larger (pseudohypertrophy).

Joint contractures are common. Shortening of the muscle fibers, fibrosis of the connective tissue and scarring slowly destroy muscle function. Some types of MD involve the heart muscle, causing cardiomyopathy or arrhythmias.

A muscle biopsy may be the primary test used to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases a DNA test from the blood may be sufficient.

Serum CPK (an enzyme found in muscle) may be elevated.
An EMG (electromyography) may confirm that weakness is caused by destruction of muscle tissue rather than damage to nerves.
An ECG (electrocardiography) to monitor changes in cardiac status.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Treatment Return to top

There are no known cures for the various muscular dystrophies. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms to maximize the quality of life. Activity is encouraged to the degree tolerated, however, complete inactivity (such as bedrest) can worsen the disease.

Physical therapy may help people with this disorder to maintain muscle strength and function. Orthopedic appliances such as braces and wheelchairs can improve mobility and self-care abilities. In some cases, surgery on the spine or lower extremities may help improve function and slow deterioration.

Support Groups Return to top

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems. See muscular dystrophy - support group.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outcome varies with the type of muscular dystrophy. All types of MD progressively worsen, but the speed of decline and extent of disability they cause varies widely. Some types are fatal.

Complications Return to top

deformities
- scoliosis
- joint contractures
permanent, progressive disability
- decreased mobility
- decreased ability to care for self
- mental impairment (varies)
- cardiomyopathy
- respiratory failure

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if the symptoms suggestive of muscular dystrophy occur.

Call your health care provider if there is a personal or family history of muscular dystrophy and you are planning to have children.

Prevention Return to top

Genetic counseling is advised when there is a family history of muscular dystrophy. Women may have no symptoms but still carry the gene for the disorder. Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be detected with about 95% accuracy by genetic studies performed during pregnancy.

Update Date: 7/4/2004

Updated by: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Vail, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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