Neuromuscular Disorder Care

UC San Diego Health is the only program in San Diego for comprehensive care of adults with muscular dystrophy.

Launched in January 2016, our program includes regular multidisciplinary care involving a neurologist and pulmonologist, with additional specialists available via referral.

Muscular dystrophies are a diverse group of genetic disorders that cause weakness of muscles throughout the body. This can result in impaired movement, breathing disorders, and heart failure.

Similarly, spinal muscular atrophy and hereditary neuropathies cause weakness, pain, and difficulty in walking and breathing in some cases.

These diseases can begin in childhood, but with improving therapies many patients now reach adulthood. Muscular dystrophy may also be diagnosed in adults with new or longstanding muscle weakness.

Also see Pulmonary Neuromuscular and Assisted Ventilation

We focus on providing state-of-the-art care for adults with muscular dystrophy, including expert clinical evaluation, genetic testing, novel therapies, pulmonary function and sleep testing, and ventilatory support.