What are neuromuscular conditions?
Neuromuscular conditions affect the nerves that control your muscles and send sensory information to your brain. These conditions can develop because of genetics, as a result of underlying autoimmune disease, or for no identifiable reason.
The team at Maguire & Early Orthopedics offers comprehensive care for different types of neuromuscular conditions, including:
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that causes your muscles to weaken and break down. These diseases typically affect your arms, legs, and torso but can also affect your involuntary muscles that help you breathe and control the function of your heart.
MD is progressive and can ultimately cause you to lose the ability to walk and stay physically active. You can also develop respiratory and cardiac problems in the later stages of MD.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a child’s ability to control their muscles. This condition develops when there are abnormalities or damage in the parts of your brain that control movement and coordination.
Generally, cerebral palsy occurs before a child is born, but the condition can also start in the first years of life, affecting a child’s ability to crawl, rollover, and walk.
How are neuromuscular disorders diagnosed?
The team at Maguire & Early Orthopedics offers comprehensive diagnostic evaluations if you or your child shows signs of neuromuscular disorders, such as:
- Pain
- Muscle cramping
- Muscle atrophy
- Muscle weakness
- Balance issues
- Loss of coordination
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
You might need blood work, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain and spinal cord, or genetic testing. The team also uses electromyography (EMG) testing to record the electrical activity of your muscles or nerve conduction studies to evaluate the signals traveling from your nerves and muscles.
How are neuromuscular disorders treated?
Because there’s no cure for neuromuscular disorders, the team at Maguire & Early Orthopedics design a treatment plan to help control systems and slow down the progression of the disease.
Treatment plans for neuromuscular disorders might include:
- Bracing or splints
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
The fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons can also recommend surgery to release muscle contractions that are severe or to treat scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that’s common in some neuromuscular disorders.
If you need help managing the symptoms of a neuromuscular condition, schedule a consultation online or by calling the office of Maguire & Early Orthopedics near you today or book an appointment online.
