MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

DFW Metroplex Muscular Dystrophy Treatments

When your child receives a diagnosis for a chronic, lifetime health issue like muscular dystrophy, you may feel overwhelmed. At Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists, we are here to partner with patients and their parents to achieve comfort and optimal health and function for their lifetime. We are one call away for you through every step of the treatment and maintenance process.

The benefit of seeing the specialists at Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists is that we can be part of your treatment program for life. Your child will never outgrow our practice. Unlike other orthopedic practices, we do not put an age limit on lifetime illnesses. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at one of our three convenient DFW Metroplex locations to find out more or schedule a consultation visit for your child.

For your convenience, we have offices located in Arlington at Arlington Medical City Hospital in building A, Dallas at the Medical City Hospital in building C, in Frisco Square in Frisco, and on the campus of Medical City McKinney Hospital in McKinney. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment at the location nearest you.

Muscular Dystrophy & What Causes It?

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that impact the function and development of the muscles. Over time, rather than growing in strength, muscle matter is broken down and replaced with fatty tissue. There are two main types of this disorder: Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophy. Both of these common forms are almost entirely suffered by male children. Girls are often carriers of the genetic makeup of this disorder, but they only very rarely suffer from any of the physical concerns associated with the disease.

Diagnosing 

The first step in a muscular dystrophy diagnosis is a blood test that will check for genetic factors that often lead to this disorder. If we find indicators of muscular dystrophy, we will then take a small muscle biopsy. A small section of the damaged muscle tissue is examined microscopically. If the muscles do show signs of dystrophy, we will likely recommend an electromyogram to ensure the muscle loss isn’t caused by nerve damage. You may want to consider consulting with our team about the diagnosis for muscular dystrophy if your child experiences any of the following warning signs:

• Clumsiness and loss of coordination often leading to frequent trips and falls
• Difficulty performing tasks like climbing stairs, jumping, or hopping
• Walking on tiptoes or abnormal gait
• Leg pain, numbness, or sensitivity
• Weakness in the shoulders and arms
• Loss of control over facial muscles including the inability to close eyes or whistle

Treating Muscular Dystrophy

Unfortunately, there is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but our skilled pediatric orthopedic surgeons can partner with you and your child to achieve the ultimate level of function and health. Therapy for your child’s unique case of this disease is focused on symptom management. We may recommend any of the following treatments:

• Physical therapy
• Positioning aids
• Braces and splints
• Medications for pain, inflammation, and other symptoms
• Nutritional and dietary consultation
• Treatment for scoliosis
• Surgical intervention to maintain a child’s ability to sit, stand, and move around without impediment