Focal amyotrophies of the upper and lower limbs

Abstract

This chapter describes focal amyotrophy or monomelic amyotrophy. Focal amyotrophy is a rare, localized, muscular atrophy of neurogenic origin. The course is slowly progressive and the disease has a benign prognosis. Focal amyotrophy of the upper and lower limbs is a degenerative disorder of the lower motor neuron, but its etiology, pathogenesis, and relationship with other motor neuron diseases are currently unknown. No treatment exists for benign focal amyotrophy. Its management consists of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and routine exercise of paretic muscles and the assurance that the illness tends to stabilize after the initial year of progression. The existence of a localized and arrested form of motor neuron disease (MND) may hold the clue for the understanding and eventually the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.