Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of genetic disorders that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass over time. This happens because the genes responsible for maintaining healthy muscle structure and function are defective. As a result, muscles gradually weaken, leading to difficulty in performing everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or lifting objects.

1. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): The most common and severe form. Primarily affects boys and starts in early childhood, with symptoms appearing between ages 2 and 5. It causes rapid muscle weakness, starting in the legs and pelvis, and later affecting other muscles, including the heart and lungs.
2. Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD): A milder form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Symptoms appear later, usually during the teen years or early adulthood. Progresses more slowly and allows individuals to maintain mobility longer.
3. Myotonic Dystrophy: The most common form in adults. Characterized by prolonged muscle stiffness (myotonia), difficulty relaxing muscles, and muscle weakness. It may also affect other systems, including the heart, eyes, and endocrine glands.
4. Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD): Affects muscles of the face, shoulders, and upper arms. Symptoms often appear in the teenage years or early adulthood. Progression is slow, and many individuals retain normal lifespan and mobility.

5. Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD): Affects the muscles around the shoulders and hips. Symptoms can begin in childhood or adulthood, depending on the subtype. Progression varies widely, from mild to severe.

6. Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD): Symptoms are present at birth or develop shortly after which affects muscle tone and mobility from an early age. Some forms are associated with brain and intellectual development issues.

7. Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy (EDMD): Affects shoulder, upper arm, and shin muscles. Symptoms usually appear in childhood or early adolescence. Often associated with heart complications, requiring monitoring and treatment.

8. Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD): Affects muscles of the eyes and throat, leading to droopy eyelids and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms usually appear in adulthood, often after age 40.

Some of the key treatment options available include:

Stem Cell Therapy: It is one of the most promising treatment for muscular dystrophy. Stem cell therapy offers hope by working to repair and regenerate muscle tissue.

How Stem Cell Therapy Works??

Stem cell therapy works by utilizing the body’s own regenerative cells to repair and replace damaged tissues.

• Harvesting Stem Cells: Stem cells are taken from the patient’s own body (autologous therapy), often from sources like bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue and hip bone. This reduces the risk of rejection or immune response. Alternatively, donor stem cells may be used in some cases.
• Processing and Isolation: Once harvested, the stem cells are processed and isolated in a lab to ensure a high concentration of viable cells that are capable of regenerating damaged tissues.
• Injection into Target Area: The concentrated stem cells are then finally injected directly into the affected muscles or tissues. In cases like muscular dystrophy, the goal is to introduce these healthy cells into the areas where muscle cells are deteriorating.

• Regeneration and Repair: Once inside the body, stem cells can differentiate into specific types of cells, such as muscle cells. They release growth factors and other chemicals that help repair and regenerate damaged tissues, promoting the formation of new, healthy muscle fibers.
• Reduction of Inflammation: Stem cells also help to modulate the body’s immune response by reducing inflammation which help alleviate some of the pain and stiffness associated with muscular dystrophy.
• Ongoing Monitoring: After the therapy, patients are monitored to assess how well the stem cells are working to repair and regenerate muscle tissue, then additional treatments may be administered if necessary.