Muscular dystrophy Treatment 

There is no known cure for muscular dystrophy, although significant headway is being made with antisense oligonucleotides. Inactivity could worsen the disease. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotic intervention , speech therapy & orthopedic instruments might be helpful.

There is no specific treatment for any of the forms of muscular dystrophy. Physical therapy to prevent contractures & maintain muscle tone, orthoses & corrective orthopedic surgery might be needed to enhance the quality of life in some cases. The cardiac problems that occur with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy & myotonic muscular dystrophy might require a pacemaker. The myotonia occurring in myotonic muscular dystrophy might be treated with medications such as quinine, phenytoin, or mexiletine, but no actual long term treatment has been found.

Occupational therapy assists the individual with MD in engaging in his/her activities of daily living & leisure activities at the most independent level possible. This might be achieved with use of adaptive equipment or the use of energy conservation techniques. Occupational therapy might implement changes to a person's environment, both at home or work, to increase the individual's role & accessibility. Occupational therapists also address psychosocial changes & cognitive decline which might accompany MD, as well as provide support & education about the disease to the family & individual.