Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a rare group of inherited muscle diseases. They cause muscle weakness that worsens over time, often leading to significant disability. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has the experts, treatments and support you need, all in one program.

We deliver exceptional services for adults with muscular dystrophy. Whether you were diagnosed as a child or just started experiencing symptoms, you can access all the services you need. Board-certified neurologists specializing in muscular dystrophy guide your treatment. They perform thorough evaluations, make an accurate diagnosis and develop personalized treatment plans.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health delivers exceptional care for all types of muscular dystrophy from mild to severe, including: 

• Duchenne (most common) typically affects boys. Symptoms begin before age 5 and progress quickly. 
• Becker also commonly affects boys, with symptoms beginning after age 5. 
• Facioscapulohumeral often causes muscle weakness in the face, shoulder and upper arm. It may affect one side of the body more than the other.
• Emery-Dreifuss typically starts with stiff joints, followed by slowly progressive weakness and muscle wasting in the shoulders, upper arms and lower legs. Heart problems usually occur as well. 
• Limb-girdle causes muscle weakness in the upper arms, shoulders and hips. 
• Myotonic makes it difficult for muscles to relax, causing muscle stiffness. Symptoms start in adolescence or young adulthood. 
• Distal myopathies affect muscles in the forearms, hands, lower legs and feet and progress slowly. 
• Oculopharyngeal affects the eyelids and throat and often occurs in mid-life.

Muscle weakness is the most common muscular dystrophy symptom. You may also experience: 

• Difficulty walking, using stairs, or getting up from a seated position
• Falling 
• Muscle loss (atrophy)
• Permanent muscle shortening that limits joint movement (contracture)
• Unusual muscle tightness (myotonia)

Because muscular dystrophy is inherited, we start your evaluation by reviewing your family history. We also discuss your medical history and perform a neurologic exam. Genetic testing, a muscle biopsy or both may help confirm a diagnosis. 

Assessments often include: 

• Blood tests to look for increased muscle enzymes that occur due to muscle damage 
• Electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle function (available through our neurodiagnostic lab) 
• Genetic testing to check for mutations associated with a specific muscular dystrophy
• Muscle biopsy when the diagnosis is still uncertain after genetic testing

The treatment that’s right for you depends on the type of muscular dystrophy and its severity. Gene-modifying therapies can help with certain types of muscular dystrophy. In earlier stages of Duchenne, medical treatment may improve muscle strength or slow disease progression. You may also benefit from outpatient neurorehabilitation, which includes therapies that optimize your abilities.

Our neurologists work with other Virginia Mason Franciscan Health specialists to coordinate services that prevent and manage complications. These specialists include cardiologists, pulmonologists and orthopedic surgeons.

Our specialists care for patients across the Puget Sound area and beyond. Find a muscular dystrophy specialist near you.