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Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive weakening and breakdown of voluntary muscles, primarily affecting the skeletal muscles. It is a milder, slower-progressing form of muscular dystrophy than Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
read more about becker muscular dystrophy ...The cause is a defect in the gene responsible for producing the protein dystrophin. Dystrophin is needed to maintain muscle fiber strength. BMD is an X-linked recessive disorder, meaning it mostly affects males and is passed from the mother.
Symptoms usually appear in adolescence or early adulthood and progress slowly. Weakness first affects the muscles of the hips, thighs, and shoulders, leading to difficulty climbing stairs or rising from a seated position. Calf muscles often appear enlarged due to scarring and fat replacement. Muscle cramps, fatigue, and an unsteady or waddling gait are common. As the condition advances, heart and breathing muscles can also weaken, requiring ongoing medical care.
BMD does not cause direct vision loss, but it can affect the ocular muscles. Patients may develop ophthalmoplegia (weakness or paralysis of the muscles controlling eye movement). This can cause misalignment or difficulty moving the eyes fully.
Treatment focuses on management and maintaining mobility. This includes physical therapy, low-impact exercise, and sometimes corticosteroids to slow muscle degeneration. Cardiac monitoring is also necessary due to the potential for heart muscle weakness.
The long-term outlook is variable. Management involves a multidisciplinary approach focusing on maintaining muscle function and monitoring heart health, which is the most common cause of serious complications.
BMD reduces lifespan, primarily due to heart complications, but the lifespan is longer than that of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Yes, physical therapy is the primary treatment to maintain muscle function and flexibility.
No, BMD is a muscle disorder and does not affect cognitive function or intelligence.
Patients with BMD should have annual heart and eye screenings. Some muscular dystrophies are associated with "Cataracts" or retinal changes. If you notice blurring or difficulty seeing at night, consult an ophthalmologist familiar with neuromuscular disorders.
Cleveland Clinic. Becker Muscular Dystrophy (clevelandclinic.org). 2022.
GeneReviews. Dystrophinopathies (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2022.
MedlinePlus Genetics. DMD and BMD (medlineplus.gov). 2016.
NICHD. About Muscular Dystrophy (nichd.nih.gov). 2020.