Dr. SakshiNeuro Physiotherapist
All conditions
Long-term neurological conditions

Muscular dystrophies genetic conditions ka ek parivaar hain jahaan muscle fibres body ki replace karne ki kshamata se tez tootte hain. Kaam pacing, protecting aur preserving ke baare mein hai.

Animated demonstration · for orientation only

What it is

A short, honest summary.

  • Viraasat mein mile disorders jo skeletal muscle ki progressive kamzori aur wasting paida karte hain.
  • Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, facioscapulohumeral aur anya — har ek ka apna pattern aur pace.
  • Heart aur lung muscles bhi involved ho sakti hain, jiske liye coordinated cardiac aur respiratory care chahiye.

What families notice

The signals worth taking seriously.

  • 01Seedhiyaan chadhne ya floor se uthne mein dikkat
  • 02Ek waddling ya wide-based gait
  • 03Calf ka enlargement (Duchenne mein)
  • 04Bachpan mein baar-baar girna ya running ability ka khona
  • 05Postural badlaav — badha hua lordosis ya scapular winging

My approach

How the work is structured.

  • Vulnerable muscle ko over-work kiye bina function preserve karne ke liye submaximal strengthening.
  • Contractures rokne ke liye stretching, khaaskar hips, knees aur ankles par.
  • Disease stage ke anuroop bracing, equipment aur ghar mein badlaav ka timing.
  • Jahaan indicated ho wahaan respiratory physiotherapy aur paediatric cardiology ke saath integration.

What recovery looks like

A plain-language picture.

MD progressive hai. Jaldi, careful kaam se hum walking lambe samay tak preserve karte hain, secondary complications rokte hain, aur bachpan va vयस्क jeevan ke anubhav ki raksha karte hain.

FAQ

Common questions, answered briefly.

Physiotherapy kitni kam umar mein shuru ho sakti hai?
Diagnosis se hi. Chote bachche bhi play-based programmes se laabh paate hain jo sahi movement patterns banaate hain.
Kya humein har sport se bachna chahiye?
Nahi — swimming aur cycling jaisi non-eccentric, paced activities aam taur par encourage ki jaati hain. Hum contact sports aur exhaustion se bachte hain.

For clinicians

Clinical detail, assessment and evidence.

Clinical summary

The picture in clinician register.

The muscular dystrophies are inherited disorders of progressive myofibre degeneration; Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle and FSHD differ in onset, distribution and pace, and several carry cardiac and respiratory involvement. Submaximal, non-eccentric exercise preserves function, while eccentric and exhaustive loading risks overwork weakness. Contracture prevention and respiratory care are anticipatory.

Terminology

Terms worth being precise about.

Gowers' sign
Using the hands to 'climb up' the legs when rising — a marker of proximal weakness.
Pseudohypertrophy
Apparent muscle enlargement (often calf) from fatty/fibrous replacement, seen in Duchenne.
Overwork weakness
Function lost to exhausting or eccentric loading of vulnerable muscle.
Contracture
Fixed shortening of muscle-tendon units; prevention is a core aim.

Assessment aur measures

What the first sessions measure.

  • Type-appropriate functional scales (e.g. North Star Ambulatory Assessment in Duchenne) and timed function tests.
  • Goniometry for contractures, particularly hips, knees and ankles.
  • Respiratory function; coordination with cardiology surveillance.

Red flags

Signs that need urgent escalation.

  • New exertional breathlessness, orthopnoea, or palpitations — cardiorespiratory involvement.
  • Rapid loss of ambulation.
  • Falls with fracture risk.

Referral aur MDT

When and to whom to refer.

Paediatric or adult neurology. Cardiology for surveillance; respiratory team; orthopaedics for contracture and scoliosis; genetic counselling for the family.

Evidence

References and guideline anchors.

  • Submaximal exercise in muscular dystrophyPLACEHOLDER — verify against current guidelines before launch.
Book a consult for Muscular Dystrophy

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Tell me what your family is facing. I'll tell you whether I'm the right person — and if not, who you should be speaking to.