Myopathies

What is a Myopathy?

In medicine, a myopathy is a muscular disease in which the muscle fibres do not function for any one of many reasons, resulting in muscular weakness. “Myopathy” simply means muscle disease (myo- Greek “muscle” + pathos -pathy Greek “suffering”). This meaning implies that the primary defect is within the muscle, as opposed to the nerves (“neuropathies” or “neurogenic” disorders) or elsewhere (e.g., the brain, etc.). Muscle cramps, stiffness, and spasm can also be associated with myopathy.

There are several myopathic conditions covered by the MDA, and we are in the process of creating factsheets for each of them.

If there is no information on the condition you are interested in, please email info@mda.org.nz.

Myopathies

• Anderson-Tawil Syndrome (ATS)

• GNE Myopathy (originally called hIBM – Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy)

• Myotonia Congenita (Thomsen’s and Becker’s Disease)

• Myotubular Myopathy

• Nemaline Myopathy

• Paramyotonia Congenita

• Periodic Paralysis