The limb girdle muscular dystrophies are so called because the conditions generally cause weakness in the shoulder and pelvic 'girdles' - the large muscles around the top of the arms and legs.

There are many different types of limb girdle muscular dystrophies. All of the conditions are inherited and can affect males and females. Limb girdle muscular dystrophies can be divided into two main groups, depending on the way they are passed on in families. On this basis they are grouped into autosomal recessive, or type 2 LGMD, and autosomal dominant, or type 1 LGMD. They can then be further subdivided on the basis of more complicated gene or muscle protein tests. Approximately 90% of cases are autosomal recessive.

The extent to which people are affected by a limb girdle muscular dystrophy varies. For some people the muscles may quickly become progressively weaker and they are likely to need a wheelchair. Others though may find that the disease progresses slowly so that they remain mobile throughout their life.

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