What is Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy?
Ullrich 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. Individuals with this condition can often develop joint stiffness (contractures) in their knees and elbows that can restrict movement. They also have an unusually large range of joint movement (hypermobility) in their wrists and ankles. The respiratory muscles may also be weakened. Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy tends to present itself from birth.
What can physiotherapy can do for you?
- Provide you with exercise programmes that you can do independently or with physiotherapists to help strengthen your muscles and stabilise your joint as much as possible
- Regular stretches to maintain your joint ranges of motion for as long as possible which then helps with positioning and comfort
- Help with posture and positioning to best support your body
- Advise appropriate orthotics/splints to support hands and feet
- Maintain your fitness
- Provide support to help you engage in activities around the community e.g. rock climbing, attending the gym etc
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