Muscular Dystrophy

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Muscular Dystrophy refers to a large number of inherited muscle diseases which cause muscle weakness. Common forms of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Musculr Dystrophy, Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, and Fascioscapular Muscular Dystrophy. More and more of these disease are discovered each year. In addition our ability to specifically diagnose a form of muscular dystrophy has improved. Usually a comprehensive physical and neurologic exam and a EMG/Nerve Conduction Study will be performed first in order to try and narrow down the type of Muscular Dystrophy. Then these disorders can be specifically diagnosed through a muscle biopsy and genetic testing.

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
Myotonic Dystrophy
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Infantile Progressive Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Also known as SMA Type 1, Werdnig-Hoffman)
Juvenile Spinal Muscular Atrophy  (Also known as SMA Type 3, Kugelberg-Welander)   
Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA) (Also known as Kennedy's Disease and X-Linked SBMA)   
Adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)