Muscular Dystrophy
What is it?
Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited genetic conditions that gradually cause the muscles to weaken. There are many different types of muscular dystrophy, with the most common being Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. There is currently no cure for MD. MD is a progressive condition which will worsen over time. It often begins slowly and will gradually affect more muscles, leading to increased disability. Some types of MD will eventually affect the heart or lungs, meaning the condition becomes life threatening. MD is caused by changes in the genes responsible for the structure and functioning of muscles.
Common Side Effects Include:
- Duchenne MD - one of the most common and severe forms, it usually affects boys in early childhood; people with the condition will usually only live into their 20s or 30s.
Myotonic dystrophy - a type of MD that can develop at any age; life expectancy isn't always affected, but people with a severe form of myotonic dystrophy may have shortened lives.
Becker MD - closely related to Duchenne MD, but it develops later in childhood and is less severe; life expectancy isn't usually affected as much
How Can We Help?
Cortex Physiotherapy will help you to move freely and live fully. The presentation of Muscular dystrophy will differ in each individual and will change over time. There may not be a cure for Muscular dystrophy but that doesn’t mean you should let it take control of your life. Cortex Physiotherapy cannot provide a cure for your condition but we can help you to take charge of it. Due to the progressive nature of the disease our main focus will be on symptom management and life optimisation. Cortex Physiotherapy will provide treatment to manage your symptoms in order to optimise the quality of your life and will also help you to develop compensatory strategies to use what you have to achieve what you want. Improvement is heavily dependent on the individual challenging themselves and committing themselves to the rehabilitation programme provided by Cortex Physiotherapy.
Potential for improvement is something that is very difficult to determine and each individual case will be different. Cortex Physiotherapy will always have an open and honest discussion about potential for improvement and this will be regularly monitored and discussed to ensure that you and your therapist are working as a team. You will receive a full neurological examination to determine where your individual problems lie, after this you and your therapist will have a discussion about what matters most to you. Your therapist will then tailor your treatment to your goals and your journey to the life you want begins.