Becker's Muscular Dystrophy - Signs and Tests

Signs and Tests

The pattern of symptom development resembles that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but with a later, and much slower rate of progression. Noticeable signs of Muscular Dystrophy also include the lack of pectoral and upper arm muscles, especially when the disease is unnoticed through the early teen years (some men are not diagnosed with BMD until they are in their thirties). Muscle wasting begins in the legs and pelvis (or core), then progresses to the muscles of the shoulders and neck, followed by loss of arm muscles and respiratory muscles. Calf muscle enlargement (pseudohypertrophy) is quite obvious. Cardiomyopathy may occur, but the development of congestive heart failure or arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) is rare.

• Loss of ambulation (loss of ability to walk) may not occur until the person is in his fifties.
• Creatine kinase (CPK) levels may be elevated.
• An electromyography (EMG) shows that weakness is caused by destruction of muscle tissue rather than by damage to nerves.
• Genetic testing
• A muscle biopsy (immunohistochemistry or immunoblotting) or genetic test (blood test) confirms the diagnosis.