Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Muscular Dystrophy GuideHow Muscular Dystrophy Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Muscular Dystrophy Guide
Muscular dystrophy (MD)is often considered one disease that presents in a classic way. While progressive muscle weakness and difficulty controlling movement are present in all nine forms of the disease, there are nuances in the symptoms experienced and the extent of them that depend on what type someone has.
Some forms of MD become apparent in infancy or early childhood, while others don’t appear until middle age or later.
Progressive muscle weakness is common among all types of MD, but it’s important to look at each uniquely to understand exactly how this impacts an individual. There is some variation in the degree of muscle weakness, what muscles are affected, and the progression of the disease.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
The firstsigns of DMDmay include:
Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Becker muscular dystrophy is very similar to DMD, except that the symptoms of Becker MD can appear later in youth—up until as late as 25.Although similar to DMD, symptoms of Becker MD progress slower than those of DMD.
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Not all congenital forms of MD (those present at birth) have been identified. One form, Fukuyamacongenital muscular dystrophy,causes severe weakness of the facial muscles and limbs and may include joint contractures, mental and speech problems, as well asseizures.
Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy
This form progresses slowly. However, unlike DMD, contractures—muscle shortening—may appear earlier inlife. Overall muscle weakness is also less severe than that of DMD. Serious heart problems associated with Emery-Dreifuss MDmay require a pacemaker.
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
The disease causes muscle weakness that starts in the hips, moves to the shoulders, and extends outwards into the arms and legs.The disease progresses slowly but eventually leads to difficulty walking.
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH MD)
People with FSH MDhave shoulders that slope forward, making it difficult to raise their arms over their head. Muscle weakness continues throughout the body as the disease progresses. FSH MD can range from very mild to severe. Despite the progressive muscle weakness, many people with FSH MD are still able to walk.
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
This form of muscular dystrophy starts with muscle weakness in the face and then moves on to the feet and hands. Myotonic MDalso causes myotonia—the prolonged stiffening of muscles (like spasms), and it’s a symptom that only occurs in this form of the disease.
Myotonic MD affects the central nervous system, heart, digestive tract, eyes, andendocrine glands. It progresses slowly, with the amount of muscle weakness varying from mild to severe.
Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy
Drooping eyelids are typically the first sign of this form of dystrophy.The condition then progresses to facial muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing. Surgery can reduce swallowing problems and prevent choking as well aspneumonia.
Distal Muscular Dystrophy
The muscle diseases defined asdistal muscular dystrophyhave similar symptoms of weakness of the forearms, hands, lower legs, and feet.These diseases, including subforms Welander, Maskesbery-Griggs, Nonaka, and Miyoshi, are less severe and involve fewer muscles than other types of muscular dystrophy.
As muscles further weaken, several complications can occur:
If you or your child exhibits signs of muscle weakness, such as falling, dropping things, or overall clumsiness, it’s time to see your healthcare provider for an exam and appropriate testing anddiagnostic procedures.
Muscular Dystrophy Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
While there may certainly be other, more likely explanations for what you’re noticing, it is best to have a professional weigh in. If you have MD and you experience a new onset of symptoms, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you receive the care you need.
Weakening of voluntary muscles is the first noticeable sign of MD that presents in adulthood, known asDM1 and DM2.Other common symptoms include:CataractsCognitive and intellectual disabilities (especially in DM1)Weakening of the muscles of the neck, jaw, and parts of the headHeart arrhythmiasInsulin resistanceInvoluntary muscle weakness that can affect internal organs
Weakening of voluntary muscles is the first noticeable sign of MD that presents in adulthood, known asDM1 and DM2.Other common symptoms include:
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wicklund MP.The muscular dystrophies. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2013;19(6 Muscle Disease):1535-70.
Venugopal V, Pavlakis S.Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. [Updated 2019 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482346/
Nicolas A, Raguénès-nicol C, Ben yaou R, et al.Becker muscular dystrophy severity is linked to the structure of dystrophin. Hum Mol Genet. 2015;24(5):1267-79.
Saito K.Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. 2006 Jan 26 [Updated 2019 Jul 3]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1206/
Bonne G, Leturcq F, Ben Yaou R.Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy. 2004 Sep 29 [Updated 2019 Aug 15]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1436/
Tawil R.Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Neurotherapeutics. 2008;5(4):601-6.
Thornton CA.Myotonic dystrophy.Neurol Clin. 2014;32(3):705–viii. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2014.04.011
Werling S, Schrank B, Eckardt AJ, Hauburger A, Deschauer M, Müller M.Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy as a rare cause of dysphagia.Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):291–293.
Udd B.Distal muscular dystrophies. Handb Clin Neurol. 2011;101:239-62.
Lovering RM, Porter NC, Bloch RJ.The muscular dystrophies: from genes to therapies.Phys Ther. 2005;85(12):1372–1388.
Bailey RO, Dentinger MP, Toms ME, Hans MB.Benign muscular dystrophy with contractures: a new syndrome?. Acta Neurol Scand. 1986;73(4):439-43.
Archer JE, Gardner AC, Roper HP, Chikermane AA, Tatman AJ.Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the management of scoliosis.J Spine Surg. 2016;2(3):185–194. doi:10.21037/jss.2016.08.05
Khalighi K, Kodali A, Thapamagar SB, Walker SR.Cardiac involvement in myotonic dystrophy.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(1):25319. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.25319
Toussaint M, Davidson Z, Bouvoie V, Evenepoel N, Haan J, Soudon P.Dysphagia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: practical recommendations to guide management. Disabil Rehabil. 2016;38(20):2052-62.
Astrea G, Battini R, Lenzi S, et al.Learning disabilities in neuromuscular disorders: a springboard for adult life.Acta Myol. 2016;35(2):90–95.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Medical management.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Myotonic dystrophy: Adult-onset DM1 and DM2.
Mayo Clinic website.Muscular Dystrophy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscular-dystrophy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375394Muscular Dystrophy Association Australia website.Facts About Rare Muscular Dystrophies. http://mdaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/014_rare-mds-2012.pdfNational Institute of Health website.Muscular Dystrophy Information Page. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Muscular-Dystrophy-Information-Page
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
