Muscular Dystrophies (MD) are a group of rare neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. They are caused by mutations in genes, usually involved in the making of muscle proteins.
There are many different disorders under the muscular dystrophies umbrella. Examples include, Duchenne Muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
· Progressive muscular wasting and atrophy
· Loss of balance in sitting and standing
· Spinal scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
· Changes to walking (waddling gait)
· Reduction in joint range of movement
· Muscular spasms
· Gowers’ sign (using the hands to walk up the body from a squatting position to standing
Friedreich’s ataxia causes nervous system damage and movement problems. It usually begins in childhood and leads to impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) that worsens over time.
Read moreUllrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy is a condition that mainly affects skeletal muscles, which are the muscles used for movement. Affected individuals show muscle weakness soon after birth.
Read moreThis muscular dystrophy is caused by a deficiency of dystrophin, a protein that helps strengthen muscle fibres and protect them from injury. It appears primarily in males between ages 11 and 25.
Read moreDMD is the most common form of muscular dystrophy among children and only affects boys. DMD is caused by a deficiency of dystrophin, a protein that helps strengthen muscle fibres and protect them from injury.
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