What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common types of muscular dystrophy. It is a gene-related disorder that makes muscles unable to produce a protein called dystrophin. Without this essential protein, muscles lose their strength and eventually stop working.

This muscle weakness starts in the hips, pelvic area, and legs (usually when a child is between 2 to 5 years old), but it eventually affects most major muscle groups in the body—including the spinal muscles. When spinal muscles weaken, they are no longer able to hold the spine straight. One of the most common spinal conditions for people with DMD is scoliosis. In scoliosis, the spine curves, resembling an S or a C. Scoliosis is a “three-dimensional” curve, meaning that the spine can twist in addition to curving side-to-side. As the vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine) rotate, they increase the deformity.

Patients with DMD can also develop kyphosis [hyperlink to Kyphosis article], a spinal condition that causes the spine to curve outward. This gives the patient a rounded back (or humpback) appearance.

If the abnormal curves from scoliosis or kyphosis are not treated or become severe, they commonly cause pain, difficulty in sitting upright, and increased lung problems.