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Symptoms of Muscular dystrophy

The symptoms of muscular dystrophy depend on the muscle groups first affected.

The first signs of the Duchenne type of dystrophy usually appear before the age of three. In most cases the muscles appear bulkier than normal. Even so, there is progressive weakening. This initially affects the muscles of the buttocks and legs, and causes a characteristic waddle when walking. 

The child may therefore be slow to walk and have slower development. Children overcome the effects of the weakness by doing things differently, such as getting up by ‘hand-walking’ up their legs. By about 8 to 11 years boys become unable to walk and by their late teens or twenties the condition is usually severe enough to shorten life expectancy.

Myotonic dystrophy usually affects muscles of the face, neck, hands and feet. The rate of deterioration is commonly slow, with little change over a long period.

Limb-girdle dystrophy affects the shoulders, pelvic and uppermost limb muscles, symptoms and onset is very variable.The facio-scapulo-humeral type affects the muscles of the face, upper back and upper arm, but progresses very slowly and does not shorten life.

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