BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMuscle disorderMyopathic changes; Myopathy; Muscle problemA muscle disorder causes patterns of weakness, loss of muscle tissue, electromyogram (EMG) findings, or biopsy results that suggest a muscle problem. The muscle disorder can be inherited, such as muscular dystrophy, or acquired, such as alcoholic or steroid myopathy.Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The medical name for muscle disorder is myopathy. Symptoms The main symptom is weakness.Other symptoms include cramps and stiffness. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will take your medical history and perform a neurological exam. Tests that may be ordered include:Blood and urine tests Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle biopsy Muscle biopsyA muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic tests to look for conditions that run in families. This can be tested with blood work or sometimes saliva testing.A muscle biopsy examines a tissue sample under a microscope to confirm disease. Sometimes, a blood or saliva test to check for a genetic disorder is all that is needed based on someone's symptoms and family history. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause. It usually includes:Bracing Medicines (such as corticosteroids in some cases) Enzyme replacement therapy Gene replacement therapy Physical, respiratory, and occupational therapies Preventing the condition from getting worse by treating the underlying condition causing the muscle weakness Surgery (sometimes)Your health care provider can tell you more about your condition and treatment options.Open ReferencesReferencesBorg K, Ensrud E. Myopathies. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 136.Doughty CT, Amato AA. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 109.Selcen D. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney K, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 389.AllVideoImagesTogSuperficial anterior muscles - illustration Superficial muscles are close to the surface of the skin. Muscles which lie closer to bone or internal organs are called deep muscles.Superficial anterior musclesillustrationSuperficial anterior muscles - illustration Superficial muscles are close to the surface of the skin. Muscles which lie closer to bone or internal organs are called deep muscles.Superficial anterior musclesillustrationSelf Care Communicating with someone with dysarthriaPremenstrual syndrome - self-care Tests for Muscle disorder Muscle biopsyElectromyographyRelated Information Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Muscle disorderMyopathic changes; Myopathy; Muscle problemA muscle disorder causes patterns of weakness, loss of muscle tissue, electromyogram (EMG) findings, or biopsy results that suggest a muscle problem. The muscle disorder can be inherited, such as muscular dystrophy, or acquired, such as alcoholic or steroid myopathy.Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The medical name for muscle disorder is myopathy. Symptoms The main symptom is weakness.Other symptoms include cramps and stiffness. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will take your medical history and perform a neurological exam. Tests that may be ordered include:Blood and urine tests Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle biopsy Muscle biopsyA muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic tests to look for conditions that run in families. This can be tested with blood work or sometimes saliva testing.A muscle biopsy examines a tissue sample under a microscope to confirm disease. Sometimes, a blood or saliva test to check for a genetic disorder is all that is needed based on someone's symptoms and family history. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause. It usually includes:Bracing Medicines (such as corticosteroids in some cases) Enzyme replacement therapy Gene replacement therapy Physical, respiratory, and occupational therapies Preventing the condition from getting worse by treating the underlying condition causing the muscle weakness Surgery (sometimes)Your health care provider can tell you more about your condition and treatment options.Open ReferencesReferencesBorg K, Ensrud E. Myopathies. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 136.Doughty CT, Amato AA. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 109.Selcen D. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney K, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 389.