Patient's question:
Main symptoms: Duck walk, easy to fall, leg weakness when going up stairsOnset time: Test results:
Doctor's answer:
Hello, you are currently experiencing waddling gait, easy falls, and symptoms of leg weakness when climbing stairs. The definitive diagnosis is: Progressive Muscular Dystrophy. It is a genetic disease controlled by a recessive pathogenic gene located on the X chromosome. Its characteristics include progressive atrophy of skeletal muscle, gradual decline in muscle strength, and eventual complete loss of motor function. It primarily occurs in boys; females are genetic carriers with a clear family history of the disease. Due to muscle atrophy and weakness, children have difficulty walking. In the later stages of the disease, bilateral calf muscles may show pseudohypertrophy (replaced by connective tissue). Children typically develop the disease between 4 and 5 years of age, generally not later than 7 years old. Their sitting, standing, and walking are delayed compared to normal children, often not discovered until after they start walking, and attention is usually drawn after the age of 3. Walking is slow, gait is unsteady, and they sway side to side, resembling a "duck walk." They are prone to falling, have difficulty climbing stairs, and cannot quickly stand up after squatting. Between 3 and 5 years of age, the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and buttocks gradually atrophy, becoming loose and thin, while muscles such as the deltoid and calf muscles become increasingly thick, hard, and inelastic.Medical Advice:
Currently, there is no specific treatment for this condition, and supportive therapy is the main approach. It is important to avoid prolonged bed rest, increase nutrition, prevent fatigue, and prevent infections. Physical therapy and orthopedic treatment can help prevent or improve deformities or contractures. Hormone therapy may also be used, generally improving muscle strength for about 3 years, but it has significant side effects. Other options include vitamins B, C, and E, biphenyl dimethyl, galanthamine, and adenosine triphosphate, but their efficacy is uncertain.
Lifestyle Care:
1. Mental Support: Create a positive environment for the patient, maintain reasonable expectations, and avoid overprotection.
2. Diet: A high-protein diet rich in vitamins, calcium, and zinc is recommended. Foods such as lean meat, eggs, fish, shrimp, animal liver, ribs, black fungus, mushrooms, tofu, and daylily can be consumed in moderation. Avoid or limit spicy, salty, and cold foods that are difficult to digest or irritating.
3. Exercise: Engage in exercises that are manageable and avoid overexertion.
- Upper Body: Practice lifting, push-ups, and chest expansion exercises.
- Lower Back: Perform sit-ups.
- Lower Body: Practice squatting, climbing stairs, jumping, and side leg presses.
- Pay attention to preventing contractures. Apply warm compresses to the knee and Achilles joints and perform gentle traction afterward. Massage the pseudohypertrophic areas with a kneading technique. Maintain good posture to prevent spinal deformities and rest in a horizontal position after exertion.
4. Progressive Nature of the Disease: Due to the progressive worsening of the condition and high rates of disability, early treatment can help slow disease progression and improve quality of life. This is especially important for individuals with a family history of similar conditions, who should undergo early examination and diagnosis.
5. During Treatment: Avoid smoking and alcohol, limit spicy and salty foods, stay away from wind and cold, prevent colds, drink plenty of water, and consume foods rich in calcium and zinc. Maintain a positive mood, engage in appropriate exercise, and family members should cooperate with massages. The patient should overcome difficulties and persist in regular exercise.