How is Becker muscular dystrophy diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Becker muscular dystrophy is based on physical symptoms, family history, an elevated concentration of creatine kinase (CK) in the blood indicating destruction of muscle, and molecular genetic testing.

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Do I have Becker muscular dystrophy?

Muscle biopsy: This test can show whether the muscle has any dystrophin. If there’s no dystrophin around the muscle fibers, it usually means the child has Duchenne MD. Patchy, reduced amounts of dystrophin around the muscle fibers usually mean the child has Becker MD.

How is limb-girdle muscular dystrophy diagnosed?

Limb girdle muscular dystrophy is diagnosed mainly by creatine kinase level tests (a type of blood test), muscle biopsies, and EMGs.

Does muscular dystrophy affect your feet?

Tibial muscle weakness can affect the up-and-down movement of the foot. Therefore, patients with tibial muscular dystrophy may find it difficult to walk on their heels, although walking may not be severely impaired in earlier stages of the condition.

What age is Becker muscular dystrophy diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) may vary greatly. The symptoms can appear in early childhood, as early as age 5, or as late as age 60.

What is the prognosis for patients diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy?

The person may be dependent on a wheelchair within 20 to 30 years. Heart muscle weakness and abnormal electrical activity of the heart can increase the risk for palpitations, fainting, and sudden death. Most people with this group of diseases live into adulthood, but do not reach their full life expectancy.

How do you know if you have distal muscular dystrophy?

Typically, the first symptom of distal muscular dystrophy (DD) is weakness in the distal muscles — those farthest away from the hips and shoulders such as those in the hands, feet, lower arms or lower legs. With time, other muscle groups may become affected as well. Intellect isn’t affected in this disease.

Can you walk with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy?

Individuals with this form of LGMD usually remain able to walk. This form of LGMD is associated with progressive weakness of the proximal muscles of the upper and lower legs. Onset is usually during childhood and the progression of the disease is slow.