Muscle disorder

A muscle disorder includes patterns of weakness, loss of muscle tissue, electromyogram (EMG) findings, or biopsy results that suggest a muscle problem. The muscle disorder can be inherited, such as muscular dystrophy, or acquired, such as alcoholic or steroid myopathy.

Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.

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The medical name for muscle disorder is myopathy.

Symptoms

The main symptom is weakness.

Other symptoms include cramps and stiffness.

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will take your medical history and perform a neurological exam. Tests that may be ordered include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS)

  Electromyography

  Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.

  

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• Muscle biopsy

  Muscle biopsy

  A muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.

  

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• Genetic tests to look for conditions that run in families. This can be tested with blood work or sometimes saliva testing.

A muscle biopsy examines a tissue sample under a microscope to confirm disease. Sometimes, a blood or saliva test to check for a genetic disorder is all that is needed based on someone's symptoms and family history.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. It usually includes:

• Bracing
• Medicines (such as corticosteroids in some cases)
• Physical, respiratory, and occupational therapies
• Preventing the condition from getting worse by treating the underlying condition causing the muscle weakness
• Surgery (sometimes)

Your health care provider can tell you more about your condition and treatment options.

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