Limb–girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a genetically heterogeneous group of rare muscular dystrophies that share a set of clinical characteristics. It is characterised by progressive muscle wasting which affects predominantly hip and shoulder muscles. LGMD usually has an autosomal pattern of inheritance. It currently has no known cure or treatment. Signs and symptoms
By definition, all limb girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD) cause progressive proximal weakness, meaning weakness of the muscles on or close to the torso that worsens over time. Explicitly, LGMD preferentially affects muscles of the hip girdle, thigh, shoulder girdle, and/or upper arm. The muscle weakness is generally symmetric. Usually, the hip girdle is the first area to exhibit weakness, manifesting as difficulty walking, going up and/or down stairs, rising from a chair, bending at the waist, or squatting. Because of these difficulties, falling can occur frequently. Weakness of the shoulder girdle can make lifting objects, or even elevating the arms, difficult or impossible. Rate of progression varies between patients. Eventually, the abilities to run and walk can deteriorate. The disease commonly leads to dependence on a wheelchair within years of symptom onset, although some patients maintain mobility. Eventually the disease can affect other muscles such as the ones located in the face. By definition, LGMDs primarily affect skeletal muscles, although cardiac muscle can be affected to a lesser degree in select subtypes, which can cause palpitations
There can be significant variability in disease features and severity between LGMD subtypes, and even within any given LGMD subtype.
Other tests/analysis are:
High CK levels(x10-150 times normal)
MRI can indicate different types of LGMD. EMG can confirm the myopathic characteristic of the disease. Electrocardiography (cardiac arrhythmias in LGMD1B can occur)

Types
The "LGMD D" family is autosomal dominant, and the "LGMD R" family is autosomal recessive. Limb–girdle muscular dystrophy is explained in terms of gene, locus, OMIM and type as follows:

LGMD criteria
For a disease entity to be classified as an LGMD, the following criteria must be met:
genetic, with an identifiable inheritance pattern such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, digenic, or polygenic. relatively selective to skeletal muscle
predominantly proximal muscle involvement
independent walking is achieved at one point in life
elevated serum creatine kinase
muscle fiber loss
dystrophic changes in muscle histology
degenerative changes on medical imaging
end-stage pathology seen in the most affected muscles
described in at least two unrelated families

Differential
Many diseases can manifest similarly to LGMD. Dystrophinopathies, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, and manifesting dystrophinopathy in female carriers, can present similarly to LGMD. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy can appear similarly, especially when it spares the facial muscles. Also in the differential are Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophies, Pompe disease, later-onset congenital myasthenic syndromes, and proximal-predominant hereditary motor neuropathies. Treatment
There are few studies corroborating the effectiveness of exercise for limb–girdle muscular dystrophy. However studies have shown that exercise can, in fact, damage muscles permanently due to intense muscle contraction. Physical therapy may be required to maintain as much muscle strength and joint flexibility as possible. Calipers may be used to maintain mobility and quality of life.