Muscular dystrophy

View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

You'll probably first bring your concerns to the attention of your family doctor, but you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of muscular dystrophy.

What you can do
If you are worried that your child might have muscular dystrophy, you might want to bring photos or video recordings that illustrate your particular concerns. Bring along a relative or friend to help listen to the doctor's information.

Questions to ask the doctor include:

  • What is likely causing these signs and symptoms?
  • Are there any other possible causes for these symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests are needed?
  • What are the possible complications of this condition?
  • How is this condition treated?
  • What is the long-term outlook?
  • How can I find other families who are coping with the same diagnosis?

What to expect from your doctor
The doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in depth. The doctor may ask:

  • What symptoms have you noticed?
  • When did they start? Are they getting worse?
  • Has anyone in your immediate family had muscular dystrophy?
  • Do you plan on having more children?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Muscular dystrophy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/md/detail_md.htm. Accessed Nov. 2, 2011.
  2. Amato AA, et al. Muscular dystrophies and other muscle diseases: Hereditary myopathies. Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed Nov. 2, 2011.
  3. Chinnery PF. Muscle diseases: Muscular dystrophies. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Nov. 2, 2011.
  4. Amato AA, et al. Disorders of skeletal muscle. In: Bradley WG, et al. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7506-7525-3..X5001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-7506-7525-3&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
  5. Darras BT. Patient information: Overview of muscular dystrophies. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 4, 2011.
  6. Kohler M, et al. Disability and survival in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 2009;80:320.
  7. Ishikawa Y, et al. Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Survival by cardio-respiratory interventions. Neuromuscular Disorders. 2001;21:47.
  8. Harrison T. Muscular dystrophy. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed Nov. 4, 2011.
  9. Carter GT, et al. Aging with muscular dystrophy: Pathophysiology and clinical management. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2010;21:429.
  10. Darras BT. Treatment of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index/html. Accessed Nov. 4, 2011.
  11. Borg K, et al. Myopathies. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1678/0.html. Accessed Nov. 4, 2011.
  12. Darras BT, et al. Myotonic dystrophy: Prognosis and management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 4, 2011.
  13. Bushby K, et al. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: Diagnosis, and pharmacological and psychosocial management. The Lancet Neurology. 2010;1:77.
  14. Bushby K, et al. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 2: Implementation of multidisciplinary care. The Lancet Neurology. 2010;2:177.
  15. Selcen D (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 13, 2011.
DS00200 Jan. 18, 2012

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger