Diagnostic Approach to Proximal Myopathy

Abstract

Patients with muscle disorders are a diagnostic challenge to physicians, because of the various ways of presentation. A comprehensive approach should be followed systematically in order to reach the correct diagnosis. Weakness is a common symptom among patients including those with central or peripheral nervous systems diseases and those with muscular and/or neuromuscular diseases. Muscle weakness is not only a regular finding in rheumatologic diseases, but in inflammatory myopathies as well. This chapter focuses on skills needed to approach any patient that presents with weakness, specifically proximal myopathy.