Muscular dystrophy

Hi,
My brother is unable to walk because he is gradually lacking strength in his legs,
and now it is happening with his hands also,

When it was reported in initial stages, we consulted doctrors they reffered to PGIs in  india but unfortunately we came to know that it is not curable.

Can any body help by telling where should we go now, and it is curable or not..

Thanks

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

I am sorry to say that we can not cure the dystrophy. There is an inherited condition.

But please do not get discouraged. The life expectancy is good. Usually the patients go on to live in their sixties. You brother's quality of life will suffer, but he can still do his own work with help of devices.

He should avoid inactivity. It worsens the condition. Steroids are known to help slow the progression of the dystrophy. There are some new experimental medicines these days which are thought to help the condition.

You may visit occupational therapists and physical therapists for additional advice.

Hope this helps. Please keep me posted.

Regards