Types of Muscular Dystrophy

At a glance

There are many types of muscular dystrophy: Duchenne (DMD), Becker (BMD), Myotonic (DM), Limb-Girdle (LGMD), Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD), Congenital (CMD), Distal (DD), Oculopharyngeal (OPMD) and Emery-Dreifuss (EDMD).

A mom holds hands and helps her child take their first steps.

Duchenne/Becker (DMD/BMD)

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are caused by changes in the same gene. They have similar symptoms, but DMD is more severe and progresses more quickly than BMD.

Who is affected

About 14 in 100,000 males aged 5–24 years of age are affected.1 Males are more likely to be affected than females.

Onset of symptoms

DMD symptoms usually begin before 5 years of age.2BMD symptoms usually appear later, even into adulthood. Upper legs and upper arms show weakness first.

Body parts affected

DMD and BMD affect the heart, lungs, throat, stomach, intestines, and spine.

Learn how Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy is inherited.

Myotonic (DM)

Who is affected

About 10 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.3Males and females are affected equally.

Onset of symptoms

DM symptoms usually begin between 10 and 30 years of age; however, symptoms can range from birth to age 70. The face, neck, arms, hands, hips, and lower legs show weakness first.

Body parts affected

DM may affect the heart, lungs, intestines, brain, eyes, and hormone-producing organs.

Learn how myotonic dystrophy is inherited.

Limb-Girdle (LGMD)

Who is affected

About 2 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4 Males and females are affected equally.

Onset of symptoms

LGMD symptoms can begin in childhood or adulthood. The age muscle weakness begins depends on the type. The upper arms and upper legs show weakness first.

Body parts affected

LGMD may affect the heart, spine, hips, calves, and trunk.

Learn how limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is inherited

Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD)

Who is affected

About 4 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4Males and females are affected equally.

Onset of symptoms

FSHD symptoms usually begin in young adulthood. The face, shoulders, and upper arms show weakness first.

Body parts affected

FSHD may affect the eyes, ears, and lower legs.

Learn how facioscapulohumeral dystrophy is inherited.

Congenital (CMD)

Who is affected

About 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4Males and females are affected equally.

Onset of symptoms

CMD symptoms begin at birth or early infancy. The neck, upper arms, upper legs, and lungs show weakness first.

Body parts affected

CMD may affect the brain, heart, and spine.

Learn how congenital muscular dystrophy is inherited.

Distal (DD)

Who is affected

Fewer than 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.5Males and females are affected equally.

Onset of symptoms

DD symptoms begin in adulthood. The feet, hands, lower legs, and lower arms show weakness first.

Body parts affected

DD may affect the heart, arms, and legs.

Learn how distal muscular dystrophy is inherited.

Oculopharyngeal (OPMD)

Who is affected

Fewer than 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.5Males and females are affected equally.

Onset of symptoms

OPMD symptoms usually begin after age 40. The eyes and throat show weakness first.

Body parts affected

OPMD may also affect the shoulders, upper legs, and hips.

Learn how oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is inherited.

Emery-Dreifuss (EDMD)

Who is affected

Fewer than 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4Males are more likely to be affected than females.

Onset of symptoms

EDMD symptoms begin in childhood. The upper arms, lower legs, and heart show weakness first. There is also difficulty in moving elbow, ankle, and neck joints.

Body parts affected

EDMD also affects the heart, shoulders, and hips.

Learn how Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is inherited.

  1. Romitti PA, Zhu Y, Puzhankara S, et al. Prevalence of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies in the United States. Pediatrics. 2015 Mar;135(3):513-21.
  2. Ciafaloni E, Fox DJ, Pandya S et al. Delayed diagnosis in duchenne muscular dystrophy: data from the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STARnet). J Pediatr. 2009 Sep;155(3):380-5.
  3. Liao Q, Zhang Y, He J, Huang K. Global Prevalence of myotonic dystrophy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroepidemiology. 2022;56;163-173. DOI: 10.1159/000524734.
  4. Mah JK, Korngut L, Fiest KM, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the epidemiology of the muscular dystrophies. Can J Neurol Sci. 2016 Jan;43:163-77.
  5. Norwood FL, Harling C, Chinnery PF, Eagle M, Bushby K, Straub V. Prevalence of genetic muscle disease in Northern England: In-depth analysis of a muscle clinic population. Brain. 2009 Nov;132(Pt 11):3175-86.
  • Mercuri E, Muntoni F. Muscular dystrophies. Lancet. 2013;381(9869):845-860. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61897-2