Every year, thousands of people, mostly young children, are affected by the neuromuscular disease Muscular Dystrophy. There are many different types of Muscular Dystrophy and they differ based on which muscles are affected and what the causative protein in the body is. Muscular Dystrophy was first introduced to us in 1830 by Sir Charles Bell, who wrote of an illness that caused a great amount of weakness in young boys. Years later, a French neurologist by the name of Guillaume Duchenne accounted for a small group of boys who had the most common and severe form of the disease, later being named Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy after Guillaume Duchenne. It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that researchers founded what leads to or causes Duchenne
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Respiratory involvement can be caused by scoliosis since the individual is in a flexed position at the hip and has pronation of the scapula; it is like the body is squishing the lungs and airway together. Since DMD is a disease that decreases muscle tissue, intercostals, abdominals, and neck flexor muscles may be affected. These muscles assist the diaphragm in allowing us to breath and once they are degenerated, it is hard and nearly impossible to breathe. As progression of DMD takes place, the ability of the individual to breathe gradually becomes harder. First the individual will experience shallow breathing then they will develop a more rapid breathing. Once rapid breathing sets in, the patient will lose chest or lung expansion. When lung expansion is lost, parts of the lung tissue will begin to collapse, and after loss of lung expansion comes decreased breathing volume. With this side effect occurring, being put on a ventilator may be the next appropriate set for the safety of the …show more content…
KAFOs help promote walking, they help the individual have more control of their lower extremities, delay osteoporosis, delay scoliosis, and help with improved cardiovascular conditioning. These braces “are sometimes prescribed for night wear to keep the foot from pointing downward and keep the Achilles tendon stretched while the child is sleeping” (3). In the studies professionals have found that “in the right situation with an experienced team, it can be beneficial for some children” (1). Many professionals are worried about the dedication and motivation of the team treating the individual and the individual them self. Many individuals with DMD will eventually have to make the decision of whether to or not to give KAFOs a shot at helping them with their
Respiratory involvement can be caused by scoliosis since the individual is in a flexed position at the hip and has pronation of the scapula; it is like the body is squishing the lungs and airway together. Since DMD is a disease that decreases muscle tissue, intercostals, abdominals, and neck flexor muscles may be affected. These muscles assist the diaphragm in allowing us to breath and once they are degenerated, it is hard and nearly impossible to breathe. As progression of DMD takes place, the ability of the individual to breathe gradually becomes harder. First the individual will experience shallow breathing then they will develop a more rapid breathing. Once rapid breathing sets in, the patient will lose chest or lung expansion. When lung expansion is lost, parts of the lung tissue will begin to collapse, and after loss of lung expansion comes decreased breathing volume. With this side effect occurring, being put on a ventilator may be the next appropriate set for the safety of the …show more content…
KAFOs help promote walking, they help the individual have more control of their lower extremities, delay osteoporosis, delay scoliosis, and help with improved cardiovascular conditioning. These braces “are sometimes prescribed for night wear to keep the foot from pointing downward and keep the Achilles tendon stretched while the child is sleeping” (3). In the studies professionals have found that “in the right situation with an experienced team, it can be beneficial for some children” (1). Many professionals are worried about the dedication and motivation of the team treating the individual and the individual them self. Many individuals with DMD will eventually have to make the decision of whether to or not to give KAFOs a shot at helping them with their