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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Duchenne muscular dystrophy classification

Introduction

Overview

Overview

There is no established system for the classification of Duchenne muscular dystrophy but according to the Functional Classification System for DMD (AFCSD), there are 5 stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on the gross motor function.

Classification

Classification

There is no established system for the classification of Duchenne muscular dystrophy but according to the Functional Classification System for DMD (AFCSD), there are 5 stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on the gross motor function.[1]

Stages Explanation
Stage 1
  • Walks normally without any help
Stage 2
  • Impaired posture (lordosis), Impaired gait (tip-toeing or waddling), still doesn’t need any assistive device and walks independently
Stage 3
  • Can only walk short distances with walker or crutch
Stage 4
  • Unable to walk but they can use powered mobility devices
Stage5
  • unable to walk, unable to use powered devices
References

References

  1. ↑ Kim, Jungyoon; Jung, Il-Young; Kim, Sang Jun; Lee, Joong-Yub; Park, Sue Kyung; Shin, Hyung-Ik; Bang, Moon Suk (2018). “A New Functional Scale and Ambulatory Functional Classification of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Scale Development and Preliminary Analyses of Reliability and Validity”. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine. 42 (5): 690–701. doi:10.5535/arm.2018.42.5.690. ISSN 2234-0645.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Fahimeh Shojaei, M.D.