Clinical points for progressive muscular dystrophy - Is immobobilization the only concern ? -

Abstract

Progressive muscular dystrophy presents with various complications as the disease progresses, besides decreased motor function. It is critical to make an appropriate and accurate diagnosis and to provide appropriate multidisciplinary medical care continuously from the time of diagnosis, including pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation, orthopedic treatment, respiratory/cardiovascular care, nutritional support and psycho-social care. This will contribute significantly not only to the survival prognosis, but also to improvement of the quality of life of these patients. A comprehensive and proactive posture (result-oriented assessment and coping) toward those therapeutic approaches is important in clinical practice. This concept is common to other rare diseases and neurological intractable diseases and may be applicable to these diseases.