Lambert-Eaton syndrome and myasthenia gravis also have symptoms that may be similar to early stages of some types of muscular dystrophies, so these disorders must be ruled out before muscular dystrophy is diagnosed.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary with the different types of muscular dystrophy. Some types, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, are deadly, while other types cause little disability and are associated with normal life span.
The muscles affected vary, but can be around the pelvis, shoulder, face or elsewhere. Muscular dystrophy can affect adults, but the more severe forms tend to occur in early childhood.
A physical examination and your medical history will help the doctor determine the type of muscular dystrophy. Specific muscle groups are affected by different types of muscular dystrophy.
Often, there is a loss of muscle mass (wasting), which may be hard to see because some types of muscular dystrophy cause a build up of fat and connective tissue that makes the muscle appear larger. This is called pseudohypertrophy.
A muscle biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, a DNA blood test may be all that is needed.
Becker's muscular dystrophy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Becker's muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves slowly progressive muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis. Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (8/7/2006).Date: 06/13/2007
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder, characterized by rapidly-worsening muscle weakness that starts in the legs and pelvis, and later affects the whole body. Reviewer: Brian Kirmse, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/11/2006
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue. See also: Muscular dystrophy Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Brian Kirmse, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/16/2007).Date: 04/07/2008
Muscle biopsy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination. Reviewer: Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/21/2006
Genetic counseling (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Prenatal diagnosis For over 4000 years, people have noticed that certain diseases run in families. However, the "why" was unknown until modern science showed how genetic information is transmitted.Present-day medicine recognizes that genetic disea...Reviewer: Diana Chambers, MS, EdD, Certified Genetics Counselor (ABMG), Charter Member of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/20/2008
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