The broad category of neuromuscular diseases or disorders covers conditions that involve the weakness or wasting of the body’s muscles.
These problems may arise in the spinal cord, the peripheral nerves or the muscle fibers. Some may be hereditary, while others are acquired.
Commonly recognized conditions fall into 3 categories:
- Myopathies – Diseases of the muscle; for example, muscular dystrophy
- Disorders of neuromuscular junction – Disorders of the junction where the nerve impulses are transmitted to the muscle; for example, myasthenia gravis
- Neuropathies – Diseases of the peripheral nervous system; for example, diabetic neuropathy
Wake Forest Baptist Approach
Patients complaining of weakness, tingling or other symptoms associated with neuromuscular disorders are seen by a neurologist specializing in neuromuscular disorders.
After thorough physical and neurological evaluations, the patient may be referred to Diagnostic Neurology.
Treatment for neuromuscular diseases include medications, procedures and surgeries all aimed at improving the muscle strength of the patient.
Neuromuscular clinics include the first Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic in North Carolina certified by the ALS Association and an active Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic.