What it is
A short, honest summary.
- —Inherited disorders causing progressive weakness and wasting of skeletal muscle.
- —Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, facioscapulohumeral, and others — each with its own pattern and pace.
- —Heart and lung muscles can also be involved, requiring coordinated cardiac and respiratory care.
What families notice
The signals worth taking seriously.
- 01Difficulty climbing stairs or rising from the floor
- 02A waddling or wide-based gait
- 03Calf enlargement (in Duchenne)
- 04Frequent falls or loss of running ability in childhood
- 05Postural changes — increased lordosis or scapular winging
My approach
How the work is structured.
- —Submaximal strengthening to preserve function without overworking vulnerable muscle.
- —Stretching to prevent contractures, particularly at the hips, knees, and ankles.
- —Bracing, equipment, and home modification timed to the disease stage.
- —Respiratory physiotherapy and integration with paediatric cardiology where indicated.
What recovery looks like
A plain-language picture.
“MD is progressive. With early, careful work, we preserve walking longer, prevent secondary complications, and protect the experience of childhood and adulthood.”
FAQ
Common questions, answered briefly.
- How young can physiotherapy start?
- From diagnosis. Even toddlers benefit from play-based programmes that build the right movement patterns.
- Should we avoid all sports?
- No — non-eccentric, paced activities like swimming and cycling are usually encouraged. We avoid contact sports and exhaustion.