At What Age Is Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosed?

Symptoms of muscular dystrophy vary depending on the type.

Symptoms of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy include: 

• Weakness that starts in the trunk and spreads to the arms and legs
  • Legs usually weaken first, making it hard to run, jump, or climb stairs
• Abnormal curves in the spine (scoliosis)
• Heart and lung problems
• Mental problems in some children

Symptoms of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy include:

• Weakness starts in the arms and later affects the legs
• Sometimes weakness occurs in the face 
• Heart problems
• Limited movement at certain joints caused by tightening of the tissues around the joint (contracture)

Symptoms of myotonic dystrophy include:

• Weakness in face muscles, arms, and legs
• Muscle pain
• Problems affecting the heart, eyes, brain, and sexual organs
• Stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation
• Problems breathing and swallowing
• Daytime sleepiness 
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)

Symptoms of limb girdle muscular dystrophy include:

• Weakness in shoulders and hips
• Joint contracture 
• Heart problems

Symptoms of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) include:

• Weakness of the face muscles to the point a person is unable to smile, whistle, or shut the eyes tightly
• Weakness may affect the legs, shoulders, and upper arms
• Pain
• Hearing problems
• Heart problems
• Mental problems or seizures in some patients

Symptoms of congenital muscular dystrophy include:

• Weakness in many muscles (sometimes referred to as “floppy baby”)
• Joint contracture 

There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Treatments for muscular dystrophy include: 

• Medications
  • Glucocorticoids, such as prednisone to reduce inflammation
  • Immunosuppressants may help delay damage to dying muscle cells
  • Anticonvulsants to help control seizures and some muscle spasms
  • Antibiotics to treat respiratory infections
  • Eteplirsen for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Physical therapy
  • Stretching exercises 
  • Physical activity 
• Respiratory therapy
  • Breathing exercises
  • Assisted ventilation
• Speech therapy
  • For patients with weakness of facial and throat muscles 
  • Learning to slow the pace of speech and use special communication equipment
• Occupational therapy 
  • Helps with movements and abilities for everyday tasks 
  • Teaches use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and utensils
• Assistive devices
  • Wheelchairs
  • Braces
  • Other devices 
• Corrective surgery
  • To treat conditions that result from muscular dystrophy
    • Pacemaker to treat heart problems 
    • Cataract surgery