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What is muscular dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophy is an inherited condition that causes progressive muscle wasting. Muscular dystrophy will slowly increase a child’s weakness and disability.
The more common types of Muscluar dystrophy include:
- Duchenne Muscluar Dystrophy
- Becker Muscluar Dystrophy
- Limb girdle Muscluar Dystrophy
- Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy
- Oculopharyngeal Dystrophy
- Myotonic Dystrophy
What causes muscular dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophy is an inherited condition caused by a genetic disorder. More commonly muscular dystrophy runs in families, however, occasionally, muscular dystrophy can cause occur in people without a known family history of the condition due to a gene mutation.
Above: Mobility exercisesusing a wheeled walking frame supervised by a Paediatric PhysiotherapistWhat are the symptoms of muscular dystrophy?
In some cases of muscular dystrophies symptoms are present in a child birth or within the first few months. These symptoms include
- decreased head control
- hypotonic – low muscle tone causing a baby to be floppy
- dislocated hips
- joint contractures know as arthrogryposis may be present
- Developmental milestones like sitting, crawling, standing and walking may be delayed
- Stumble, waddling, toe walking
- Difficulty going up stairs.
- Contractures in the ankles, hips, knees and elbows
- Struggling to get up from a sitting position.
- Difficulty pushing things.
- Enlarged calf muscles, called calf pseudohypertrophy, this is due to muscles being destroyed and replaced by fat tissue.
Above: Core stability exercises supervised by a paediatric physiotherapistPhysiotherapy for muscular dystrophy
Although there is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy physiotherapists are able to work with your child improve their muscle and joint function. This will help slow your child’s muscle deterioration.
Physiotherapy helps children with muscular dystrophy to maintain muscle tone and reduces the severity of any joint contractures. The physiotherapist will be able to provide your child with an exercises that will help keep their muscles strong and the joints flexible.
The physiotherapists at Physio.co.uk will help your child to reach their maximum physical potential. The physiotherapist’s main aims of treatment are:
- Maintain joint range and flexibility.
- Optimise your child’s available muscle power.
- Maintain functional activities for as long as possible
- Minimise the chance of joint contractures occurring
- Prevent secondary complications
- Make sure all equipment is used correctly
- Making sure your child is being handled in the most appropriate way
- Monitor your child’s respiratory function
The physiotherapists at Physio.co.uk can liaise with other professionals in your child’s team such as a neurologist, orthopaedic surgeon, occupational therapist, specialist nurse, regarding the best treatment for your child.
To arrange a physiotherapy appointment call Physio.co.uk on 0330 088 7800, or book online
Physio.co.uk can provide a wide range of treatments, and adapt them to suit the needs of your individual child. Types of physiotherapy treatment for muscular dystrophy include:
- Stretching - passive stretches, active stretching,
- Exercise Programmes - cardiovascular exercise, core stability exercise, strengthening
- Mobility practice- walking re-education, sitting balance exercises, assisted standing
- Hydrotherapy – exercises in a pool
- Respiratory physiotherapy - advice on techniques to strengthen breathing muscles and help clear secretions
- Providing equipment - orthoses, callipers, wheelchairs, standing frames
- Post surgical rehabilitation – some children with muscular dystrophy require surgery
To arrange a physiotherapy appointment call Physio.co.uk on 0330 088 7800, or book online
