Becker muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves slowly worsening muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis.

Benign pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy; Becker's dystrophy

Becker muscular dystrophy is very similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, except that it gets worse at a much slower rate.

The disorder is passed down through families (inherited). Having a family history of the condition raises your risk.

Becker muscular dystrophy occurs in approximately 3 - 6 out of every 100,000 males. It is less common than Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Images

Superficial anterior muscles

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Becker muscular dystrophy Symptoms

Review Date: 03/09/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)