Muscular Dystrophy

What is Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of inherited diseases of the nerves and muscles. These diseases cause weakness and wasting away of muscle tissue and can also cause the breakdown of nerve tissue.

The most common types of muscular dystrophies are:

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH)
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy

UR Medicine's Treatments for Muscular Dystrophy

Our comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic team focuses on all aspects of neuromuscular disease in adults and children, providing diagnosis and treatment using:

Newborn screening
Genetic confirmation
Genetic and family counseling
Gene therapy
Infusion therapy
Physical therapy
Prevention and management of secondary symptoms and complications, including cardiac, respiratory, behavioral, endocrine (glands and hormones), and bone health
Access to clinical trials
Coordination of care with schools and other providers

Patient Stories

No Longer a Death Sentence - Battling Duchenne MD

Justin DeCross was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. No longer a death sentence, UR Medicine providers are now thinking of this more like a chronic disease where they can make an impact on the quality of their patients' lives. Hear about Justin's story.

What Sets Us Apart?

Our team of experts specialize in what’s needed to care for all forms of adult and childhood muscular dystrophy. We coordinate care tailored to the needs of patients and families, in partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

URMC is home to one of six NIH-funded Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers, and our clinicians are active in research, serving as principal investigators for national and international multi-center trials. Their work includes investigating the best treatment of patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as well as education and advocacy involving all neuromuscular diseases.