Muscular dystrophy diagnosis

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that make muscles weaker over time. Doctors do a few diagnostic steps to determine if someone has muscular dystrophy. First, they talk to the patient to know when the patient started having trouble with their muscles and if any family members have had similar problems. Then, the doctor checks how strong the muscles are, how well the patient can move, and if the patient has trouble walking. The physician might also check the patient's heart and lungs because muscular dystrophy can sometimes cause problems with these organs. Neurologist consultation also can help. The patient needs blood tests to check how well the patient's liver and kidneys are working. They also look for signs of inflammation and review for the enzyme creatine kinase (CK). Its level in the blood could show if they have muscular dystrophy. Next, the neurologist might do an electromyography (EMG) test to see how the muscles and nerves work. Sometimes, the doctor might need to perform a muscle biopsy. It can help the doctor determine the type of muscular dystrophy the patient has. These tests help determine if the patient has muscular dystrophy and help the doctor make an appropriate treatment plan.