What Is Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to group of more than 30 genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Some forms of MD can have symptoms as early as infancy, while others might begin in middle age or older adults. They can also progress at different rates, and cause different amounts of muscle weakness.

Treatment may include physical therapy, corrective surgery, devices used for support, and medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants to ease symptoms and delay muscle damage. New medications that may treat some forms of MD on a genetic level are being evaluated by the FDA.