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Chapter 13: Neuromuscular Disorders

Additional resources for this chapter

instructor material

DOI:

10.1891/9780826132284.0013

Authors

  • Shor, Anna
  • Lolis, Athena M.
  • Beric, Aleksandar

Abstract

Neuromuscular disorders are a complex and heterogeneous group of disorders that ultimately impair the general function of the skeletal muscles. Neuromuscular disorders include disorders of the peripheral nerves, plexuses, spinal roots, motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and muscles. The cornerstone of management for patients with neuromuscular disorders is rehabilitation. An effective rehabilitation program is critical not only for maintaining a patient’s quality of life but also for optimizing one’s physical and psychosocial function. Botulism is a presynaptic disorder of neuro-muscular transmission. There is a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic uses of botulinum toxin. In neuromuscular disorders it is frequently used to treat spasticity and sialorrhea. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is widely used in rehabilitation to prevent disuse atrophy and recover muscle mass and function in immobilized patients. There is growing evidence of safety and benefit of NMES use in many of the inherited myopathies.