Early adulthood onset of muscle weakness in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and physical therapy management: An unusual case report

Abstract

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is an uncommon and rarely seen progressive myopathic disorder. It is usually seen during periods of rapid growth (4-5 years). Proximal and distal upper extremities characteristically show weakness and atrophy. Face, scapular, shoulder, leg, hip belt muscles are frequently asymmetrically affected. In this paper, a case is presented of this rare, difficult to diagnose disease, not previously reported in this age group, and the findings are discussed in the light of information of earlier cases in Turkey. A 26-year old female patient presented at Hacettepe University Neurology outpatient clinic with complaints of muscle weakness and atrophy in the left arm and leg, which had been ongoing for 4 years. The muscle weakness of left upper, lower extremities and right limb, further cervical cord atrophy, winging scapulae, abnormal spinal curvature were observed. This case report presents information about the differential diagnosis, detailed symptoms, and physical therapy management of a Fascioscapulohumeral patient.