Word On Muscular Dystrophy

Thank you to Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) – an organisation at the heart of support, advocacy, and research for people living with muscle-wasting and muscle-weakening conditions across the UK. You can reach the charity via our links page and you can listen again to our radio report at the bottom of this page.  

What Is Muscular Dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of inherited conditions that cause progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. These disorders are caused by faults in the genes responsible for healthy muscle function. As the muscles deteriorate, people can experience increasing difficulty with everyday activities such as walking, lifting, breathing, and, in some forms, heart function.

While there is currently no cure, advances in research, physiotherapy, and assistive technology are helping people live longer, more active, and independent lives.

The Different Types There are more than 60 recognised muscle-wasting and muscle-weakening conditions, with nine main types of muscular dystrophy. These include:

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) – usually diagnosed in early childhood, primarily in boys. It causes rapid progression of muscle weakness and affects mobility, heart, and breathing muscles.
• Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) – similar to Duchenne but progresses more slowly.
• Myotonic Dystrophy (DM1 & DM2) – affects both men and women, often in adulthood, and can impact the face, heart, and other organs.
• Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) – affects the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms, often unevenly across the body.
• Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) – affects the muscles around the hips and shoulders, with many genetic subtypes.

How Many People Are Affected? It’s estimated that around 110,000 people across the UK are living with a muscle-wasting or muscle-weakening condition. While some forms appear in infancy, others don’t develop until adulthood.

Why Awareness Matters? Awareness of muscular dystrophy remains limited, and early symptoms can sometimes be overlooked. Early diagnosis and support can make a significant difference — helping people access treatments, therapies, and community networks that improve quality of life and independence.

About Muscular Dystrophy UK? A leading charity supporting people living with over 60 muscle-wasting and muscle-weakening conditions. The charity funds ground breaking research, provides expert information and advocacy, and campaigns for better access to care and treatments.

Listen to this weeks radio report