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What kind of surgery is sometimes performed on patients with muscular dystrophy?
GaleEncyofMedicine
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
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∙ 13y ago
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Any treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients?
No, there is ABSOLUTELY no cure for DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) in my knowledge.
Can muscular dystrophy male patients perform sexually?
yes
What is the principal reason for physical activity being a treatment for patients with muscular dystrophy?
it reduces pain
What has the author Yoshihiro Kaiya written?
Yoshihiro Kaiya has written: 'Sakana ni nareta hi' -- subject(s): Berkeley University of California, Muscular dystrophy, Patients, Students
What alternative is there to tracheotomy?
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
What has the author Tom Leitch written?
Tom Leitch has written: 'Shamrocks, trolls, angels and drunks' -- subject(s): Irish Americans, Patients, Alcoholics, Muscular dystrophy, Anecdotes, Parents of terminally ill children, Biography
What types of occpational therapy can assist patients with muscular dystrophy?
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
What conditions does Trager psychophysical integration therapy treat?
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
Muscular dystrophy?
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.
What is sudeck's atrophy?
Sudeck's atrophy is a radiographic term for spotty rarefaction seen in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
What else is a reticulocyte count called?
usually performed when patients are evaluated for anemia and response to its treatment. It is sometimes called a retic count.
What kind of special respiratory care do some patients with muscular dystrophy need?
People who develop weakness of the diaphragm or other ventilatory muscles may require a mechanical ventilator to continue breathing deeply enough. Air may be administered through a nasal mask or mouthpiece, or through a tracheostomy tube
