Distal muscular dystrophy or distal myopathy (DD)

First described in 1902, distal muscular dystrophy is a class of muscular dystrophies that primarily affect distal muscles. The distal muscles are those furthest away from the centre of the body, including the lower arms, hands, lower legs and feet.

The age at which distal muscular dystrophies begin varies widely as does the rate of progression.

Most people with DD will experience wasting of muscle mass which is visible. In some cases the muscles in the arms, legs, or trunk can weaken to the point where the range of motion and mobility are restricted. In some types of DD the heart can be affected and also the muscles used for swallowing and speaking.

Distal Myopathies include:

Distal myopathy with vocal cord and pharyngeal weakness
Finnish (tibial) distal myopathy
Gowers-Laing distal myopathy
Hereditary inclusion-body myositis (myopathy) type 1 (HIBM1)
Miyoshi distal myopathy
Nonaka distal myopathy
VCP Myopathy / IBMPFD
Welander distal myopathy

Distal muscular dystrophy

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