Treatment of Muscular Dystrophy

At the moment, there is no cure for any of the 9 types of muscular dystrophy. Conventional methods of coping with the disease include exercise, drugs that slow down or eliminate muscle wasting, anabolic steroids and supplementation. These methods are aimed to slow down the progression of the disease, or reduce its symptoms, and usually they are effective in prolonging the lifespan of affected individuals

Researchers are already studying gene therapies to treat muscular dystrophies, but the results of this research - if any - will be available no sooner than several years from now

Researchers are also investigating the potential of certain muscle building medicines to slow down or reverse the progression of muscular dystrophy. Other trials are looking into the effects of the dietary supplements creatine and glutamine on muscle energy production and storage.

Symptoms can often be reduced through exercise, physical therapy, respiratory care, surgery and rehabilitative devices. This can be particularly helpful in minimizing painful positioning of the joints and in preventing or reducing abnormal curvatures of the spine. Walking aids such as canes or wheelchairs can help sufferers maintain mobility and independence. Surgery can help reduce or eliminate muscle shortening (which would otherwise cause a marked reduction in the range of motion). Medicines such as hormones can also be very helpful in reducing muscle wasting. In some forms of MD that affect respiratory muscles (such as Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy) respiratory care and breathing exercises are often recommended. In Emery-Dreifuss and myotonic muscular dystrophy, a pacemaker is usually recommended to avoid sudden death due to heart complications

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, corticosteroid hormones may slow muscle wasting. In myotonic muscular dystrophy, phenytoin, procainamide or quinine can treat delayed muscle relaxation. Medications can also be prescribed for some muscular dystrophy-related heart problems.

As the illness progresses and muscles lose their strength, contractures can develop in joints. If tendons shorten, they can restrict the flexibility and mobility of joints, reducing the range of motion. Contractures are uncomfortable and may affect the joints of your feet, knees, hips, hands and elbows. One goal of physical therapy is to provide regular range-of-motion exercises to keep your joints as flexible as possible, delaying the progression of contractures, and reducing or delaying curvatures of your spine. Using hot baths (hydrotherapy) also can help maintain range of motion in joints.

Braces are often used to support weakened muscles of your hands and lower legs and help keep muscles and tendons stretched and flexible, slowing the progression of contractures. Wheelchairs, canes and walkers are also used to help patients keep their independence and walking capabilities. If respiratory muscles become weak, using a ventilator may become necessary.

Drugs may be useful to treat some forms of muscular dystrophy:

Tendon release surgeries are usually performed to relieve sufferers from painful joint positions. This kind of surgery may be performed to relieve tendons of your hip and knee and on the Achilles tendon at the back of your foot. Surgery may also be needed to correct curvature of the spine (scoliosis).

Prednisone is a catabolic steroid that slows down muscle wasting and degeneration. It is the most widely used drug in the treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The effects of prednisone are increased strength and functionality in muscle cells. The ability to walk may be prolonged for some years.

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Treatment of Muscular Dystrophy