Neuromuscular Disorders and Diseases
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Links
Neurology Department
The Neurology Department’s homepage leads to other related Medical Center areas, including the Neuromuscular Program page, the Neurorehabilitation page, the Diagnostic Neurology page and other related sites and links.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
The NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke offers information on muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis and diabetic neuropathy, as well as links to articles, additional information and related organizations.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s homepage offers information on 40 neuromuscular diseases, research, the national network of clinics, medical services, newsletters, support groups and additional resources.
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Inc.
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Inc., a non-profit agency, offers this homepage with basic information, education, research, support groups, fellowships, news and links.
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases has a homepage offering general information, research, laboratories, health information, clinical trials and news.
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association’s homepage provide a variety of information, resources and links on diabetes. |
The broad category of neuromuscular disorders or diseases covers conditions that involve the weakness or wasting of the body muscles.
These problems may arise in the spinal cord, the peripheral nerves or the muscle fibers. Some may be hereditary, while others are acquired.
Commonly recognized conditions fall into the categories of myopathies, which are diseases of the muscle like muscular dystrophy, disorders of the junction where the nerve impulses are transmitted to the muscle like myasthenia gravis, and neuropathies, which are diseases of the peripheral nervous system like diabetic neuropathy. Those specific disorders are discussed here.
WFUBMC Approach
Patients complaining of weakness, tingling or other symptoms associated with neuromuscular disorders would been seen by a neurologist specializing in neuromuscular disorders.
After thorough physical and neurological evaluations, the patient may be referred to the Diagnostic Neurology Department. Many sophisticated electrodiagnostic procedures are available for the patients.
The multi-disciplinary team includes physicians from Neurology and Otolaryngology, as well as electrodiagnostic technicians and nurse clinicians. Patients unable to go to the laboratory can be tested at bedside with portable equipment.
Treatment includes the medications, procedures and surgeries all aimed at improving the muscle strength of the patients.
For at least 10 years, the Medical Center has been active in finding new drugs to treat the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) sponsors a monthly clinic in the Department of Neurology that provides comprehensive medical services to patients with certain neuromuscular diseases.
Patients who participate in the MDA clinic will receive a neurological examination, appropriate testing necessary for a diagnosis to be achieved, physical therapy assessments and follow-up care from our neuromuscular specialists.
They may also be eligible for evaluation by cardiologists, orthopedists and other specialists at the Medical Center for problems related to their MDA diagnosis.
Once a patient is affiliated with the MDA, a patient is eligible for direct services that may include the purchase and repair of wheelchairs and braces, recreation at an MDA summer camp and selected transportation needs.
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