Locomotor problems in infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Retrospective study of 9 patients

Abstract

A retrospective study of 9 patients with infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy defines orthopedic deformities and progression. Patients presented in the early months of life with facial diplegia. Sensorineural hearing loss occurred in 8 out of 9 with a mean onset at 5 (2–9) years. Walking began at the normal time, but worsened progressively, which was due mainly to gluteus maximus muscle weakness. Scapular winging, extreme lumbar lordosis, and foot drop were characteristic. The majority of patients (in this and other series) lose walking ability in the second decade. Efforts to control lumbar lordosis by bracing while the patients were still walking were ineffective. Control of lumbar lordosis after the patients are wheelchair-dependent is important.