A physiotherapist will be involved in the care and management of those patients with neuromuscular disorders across South East Wales.

The different types of neuromuscular disorders include:  

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy   
• Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy   
• Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy   
• Congenital Muscular Dystrophy – Bethlem, Ullric, Rigid Spine, Merosin deficient   
• Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy   
• Myotonic Dystrophy  
• Peripheral Neuropathies – Charcot-Marie Tooth / Hereditary Sensory Motor Neuropathy  
• Congenital Myopathies – Nemaline, Myotubular, Central Core    
• Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome  
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy – Type I, Type II & Type III 

Patients are normally reviewed alongside a paediatric neurologist and care advisor in a clinic to help support, advise and co-ordinate their local care. The specialist physiotherapist will review and clinically assess patients every 6-12 months to monitor the patients’ function and advise timely intervention with the wider multi-disciplinary team. The physiotherapist will also link with the patient and their family when they are having surgery.  

Therapy involvement  includes:   

• Practical specialist advice for the patient, their family and school  
• Exercise or stretching programmes   
• Use of equipment such as walkers, standing frames, wheelchairs, orthotics