The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration
of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Some forms of MD are seen in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear
until middle age or later. The disorders differ in terms of the distribution and extent of muscle weakness, age of onset,
rate of progression, and pattern of inheritance.
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment to stop or reverse any form of MD. Treatment may include physical therapy, respiratory
therapy, speech therapy, orthopaedic appliances used for support, and corrective orthopaedic surgery. Drug therapy includes
corticosteroids to slow muscle degeneration, anticonvulsants to control seizures and some muscle activity, immunosuppressant’s
to delay some damage to dying muscle cells, and antibiotics to fight respiratory infections. Some individuals may benefit
from occupational therapy and assistive technology. Some patients may need assisted ventilation to treat respiratory muscle
weakness and a pacemaker for cardiac abnormalities.
Prognosis
The prognosis for people with MD varies according to the type and progression of the disorder. Some cases may be mild and
progress very slowly over a normal lifespan, while others produce severe muscle weakness, functional disability, and loss
of the ability to walk. Some children with MD die in infancy while others live into adulthood with only moderate disability.
For more information on this topic try
