How does the family history aid in diagnosis of muscular dystrophy syndromes?
Many of the muscular dystrophy syndromes have strong patterns of inheritance
Muscular Dystrophy Syndromes Inheritance Patterns
| Duchenne muscular dystrophy | X-linked recessive |
| Becker muscular dystrophy | X-linked recessive |
| Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies | Autosomal recessive or dominant |
| Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy | Autosomal dominant |
| Myotonic dystrophy | Autosomal dominant |
| Proximal myotonic myopathy | Autosomal dominant |
Key Elements of Physical Examination
| System | Examine for |
|---|---|
| General | Cardiopulmonary disease, infection, thyroid disease, malignancy |
| Joints | Synovitis, deformities, contractures |
| Muscles | Muscle bulk, tenderness, weakness, fasciculations |
| Neurologic | Sensory abnormalities, deep tendon reflexes, weakness |
