The main sign of muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness. Specific signs and symptoms begin at different ages and in different muscle groups, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne type muscular dystrophy This is the most common form. Although girls can be carriers and mildly affected, it's much more common in boys. Signs and symptoms, which typically appear in early childhood, might include:  Frequent falls Difficulty rising from a lying or sitting position Trouble running and jumping Waddling gait Walking on the toes Large calf muscles Muscle pain and stiffness Learning disabilities Delayed growth  Becker muscular dystrophy Signs and symptoms are similar to those of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but tend to be milder and progress more slowly. Symptoms generally begin in the teens but might not occur until the mid-20s or later. Other types of muscular dystrophy Some types of muscular dystrophy are defined by a specific feature or by where in the body symptoms begin. Examples include:  Myotonic. This is characterized by an inability to relax muscles following contractions. Facial and neck muscles are usually the first to be affected. People with this form typically have long, thin faces; drooping eyelids; and swanlike necks. Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD). Muscle weakness typically begins in the face, hip and shoulders. The shoulder blades might stick out like wings when arms are raised. Onset usually occurs in the teenage years but can begin in childhood or as late as age 50. Congenital. This type affects boys and girls and is apparent at birth or before age 2. Some forms progress slowly and cause only mild disability, while others progress rapidly and cause severe impairment. Limb-girdle. Hip and shoulder muscles are usually affected first. People with this type of muscular dystrophy might have difficulty lifting the front part of the foot and so might trip frequently. Onset usually begins in childhood or the teenage years. 
sign muscular dystrophy progressive muscle weakness  specific signs symptoms begin ages muscle groups  depending type muscular dystrophy  duchenne type muscular dystrophy common form  girls can carriers mildly affected  it's common boys  signs symptoms  typically early childhood  include:  frequent falls difficulty rising lying sitting position trouble running jumping waddling gait walking toes large calf muscles muscle pain stiffness learning disabilities delayed growth  becker muscular dystrophy signs symptoms similar duchenne muscular dystrophy  tend milder progress slowly  symptoms generally begin teens occur mid-20s later  types muscular dystrophy types muscular dystrophy defined specific feature body symptoms begin  examples include:  myotonic  characterized inability relax muscles following contractions  facial neck muscles first affected  people form typically long  thin faces; drooping eyelids; swanlike necks  facioscapulohumeral (fshd)  muscle weakness typically begins face  hip shoulders  shoulder blades stick like wings arms raised  onset occurs teenage years can begin childhood late age 50  congenital  type affects boys girls apparent birth age 2  forms progress slowly cause only mild disability  progress rapidly cause severe impairment  limb-girdle  hip shoulder muscles affected first  people type muscular dystrophy difficulty lifting front part foot trip frequently  onset begins childhood teenage years
muscular dystrophy