Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) does not currently have a cure, but several treatment options can help slow progression, manage symptoms, and get a better and more comfortable life
Standard care includes corticosteroids to help maintain muscle strength, along with regular monitoring of heart and lung function. Physiotherapy, assisted mobility, and respiratory support play an important role in preserving independence and comfort. Nutritional support and timely orthopedic care may also be part of long-term management.
Many families find value in a combination therapy approach, where medical treatment is supported by coordinated physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and lifestyle-focused care. In India, some families choose to work with medical facilitation platforms like MedicoExperts to better understand available treatment options and connect with experienced specialists, especially when managing a complex condition like DMD.
While DMD is a lifelong condition, early intervention and a balanced, multi-disciplinary care plan can help patients live longer and more comfortable lives.
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Climbing stairs and rising unaided may become impossible by age nine or ten, and most boys use a wheelchair for mobility by the age of 12. Weakening of the trunk muscles around this age often leads to scoliosis (a side-to-side spine curvature)
Electrical stimulation is generally not contraindicated for Becker's muscular dystrophy, but caution is advised. Patients with this condition may have varying degrees of muscle function and response to stimulation, so individualized assessments are crucial. Consulting with a healthcare professional familiar with muscular dystrophies is essential to determine the appropriateness and safety of electrical stimulation for each patient.
Yoshihiro Kaiya has written: 'Sakana ni nareta hi' -- subject(s): Berkeley University of California, Muscular dystrophy, Patients, Students
DefinitionDuchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves rapidly worsening muscle weakness.Alternative NamesPseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy; Muscular dystrophy - Duchenne typeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsDuchenne muscular dystrophy is a rapidly-worsening form of muscular dystrophy. Other muscular dystrophies (including Becker's muscular dystrophy) get worse much more slowly.Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by a defective gene for dystrophin (a protein in the muscles). However, it often occurs in people without a known family history of the condition.Because of the way the disease is inherited, males are more likely to develop symptoms than are women. The sons of females who are carriers of the disease (women with a defective gene but no symptoms themselves) each have a 50% chance of having the disease. The daughters each have a 50% chance of being carriers.Duchenne muscular dystrophy occurs in approximately 1 out of every 3,600 male infants. Because this is an inherited disorder, risks include a family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.SymptomsSymptoms usually appear before age 6 and may appear as early as infancy. They may include:FatigueMental retardation (possible, but does not worsen over time)Muscle weakness Begins in the legs and pelvis, but also occurs less severely in the arms, neck, and other areas of the bodyDifficulty with motor skills (running, hopping, jumping)Frequent fallsRapidly worsening weaknessProgressive difficulty walkingAbility to walk may be lost by age 12By age 10, the person may need braces for walking. By age 12, most patients are confined to a wheelchair.Signs and testsA complete nervous system (neurological), heart, lung, and muscle exam may show:Abnormal heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)Congestive heart failure or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias) -- rareDeformities of the chest and back (scoliosis)Enlarged calf muscles, which are eventually replaced by fat and connective tissue (pseudohypertrophy)Loss of muscle mass (wasting)Muscle contractures in the heels, legsMuscle deformitiesRespiratory disorders, including pneumonia and aspiration of food or fluid into the lungs (in late stages of the disease)Tests may include:Electromyography (EMG)Genetic testsMuscle biopsySerum CPKTreatmentThere is no known cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Treatment aims to control symptoms to maximize quality of life. Gene therapy may become available in the future.Activity is encouraged. Inactivity (such as bedrest) can worsen the muscle disease. Physical therapy may be helpful to maintain muscle strength and function. Orthopedic appliances (such as braces and wheelchairs) may improve mobility and the ability to care for yourself.Support GroupsYou can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See muscular dystrophy - support group. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is an excellent source of information on this disease.Expectations (prognosis)Duchenne muscular dystrophy leads to quickly worsening disability. Death usually occurs by age 25, typically from lung disorders.ComplicationsCardiomyopathyCongestive heart failure (rare)DeformitiesHeart arrhythmias (rare)Mental impairment (varies, usually minimal)Permanent, progressive disability Decreased mobilityDecreased ability to care for selfPneumonia or other respiratory infectionsRespiratory failureCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:Your child has symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophySymptoms worsen, or new symptoms develop, particularly fever with cough or breathing difficultiesPreventionGenetic counseling is advised if there is a family history of the disorder. Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be detected with about 95% accuracy by genetic studies performed during pregnancy.ReferencesKliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Muscular dystrophies. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 608.
Some patients with pre-existing neuromuscular disease (such as ALS or muscular dystrophy) can be sucessfully managed with emergency noninvasive ventilation via a face mask, rather than with tracheotomy
Tom Leitch has written: 'Shamrocks, trolls, angels and drunks' -- subject(s): Irish Americans, Patients, Alcoholics, Muscular dystrophy, Anecdotes, Parents of terminally ill children, Biography
techniques and tools to compensate for the loss of strength and dexterity. Strategies may include modifications in the home, adaptive utensils and dressing aids, compensatory movements and positioning, wheelchair accessories
Stem cell therapy is being explored as a supportive treatment approach for conditions such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, to complement conventional management rather than replace it. For muscular dystrophy, stem cell–based interventions aim to support muscle repair processes and potentially help manage symptoms. Adult stem cells, commonly sourced from bone marrow, adipose tissue, or umbilical cord (depending on clinical suitability), are studied for their regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. The intended benefits may include improved functional capacity, better mobility, and reduced discomfort, although outcomes can vary and research is ongoing. For cerebral palsy, stem cell therapy is investigated for its potential to assist neural repair mechanisms and modulate inflammation. Approaches such as autologous mesenchymal stem cell use are studied with the objective of addressing issues like spasticity and supporting motor or functional improvements. These procedures are typically minimally invasive and are often combined with structured rehabilitation programs to optimize possible benefits. In India, treatment availability, protocols, and costs differ across institutions, making specialist evaluation important. Platforms like MedicoExperts help patients connect with qualified hospitals and specialists, enabling informed decisions through expert guidance and online consultations.
When contractures become more pronounced, tenotomy surgery may be performed. In this operation, the tendon of the contractured muscle is cut, and the limb is braced in its normal resting position while the tendon regrows
Psychophysical integration therapy has been helpful in relieving muscle discomfort in patients afflicted with polio, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, post-stroke trauma, and psychiatric disturbances