Iconic Symptoms Of Different Types Of Muscular Dystrophy

Large Calf Muscles

Muscular dystrophy occurs when an individual's body does not make a protein referred to as dystrophin. Dystrophin is a protein that protects the muscle fibers by providing stable structural support. The muscles of an individual affected by muscular dystrophy become damaged when they contract due to this lack of protection and support. The body reacts to this muscle fiber damage by repairing the tissue and replacing it with dense and fibrous scar tissue. The body also replaces broken down muscular tissue with excess adipose tissue. The scar tissue, connective tissue, and adipose tissue tend to accumulate on the calf muscles being broken down in an affected individual, which causes them to develop abnormally large calves despite the lack of muscle in the area.

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Foot Drop

Drop foot and foot drop are terms used to describe when an individual experiences an inability to lift the front part of their foot. An individual affected by foot drop may drag their toes on the ground when they are walking, or they may lift their knees to a higher than normal position when walking to avoid dragging their toes on the ground. Some individuals affected by foot drop will swing their legs in an arc to keep their toes from dragging on the ground as they are walking. A muscular dystrophy patient may experience problems with the muscles in the foot responsible for lifting the front of the foot when walking. When the muscle fibers in these muscles become damaged and subsequently repaired by scar tissue, the muscle will not be able to contract and relax properly. This impairment can result in foot drop.

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