Neuromuscular Disorders

Signs of neuromuscular disorder, like weakness and difficulty controlling muscles, can happen in childhood or adulthood. They often worsen over time. In some people, the cause is genetic. In others, it is caused by an autoimmune dysfunction. Symptoms include:

• Weakness in limbs
• Sensory changes
• Muscle loss
• Difficulty with balance
• Inability to control movement
• Tingling and numbness
• Double vision
• Drooping eyelids
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing

During your visit, our specialized neurologists perform a complete exam and take a full medical and family history. Doctors check reflexes and muscle strength. They may also order these diagnostic tests:

• Blood tests
• Lumbar puncture
• Nerve conduction study to determine whether signals travel from nerve to muscle correctly
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain
• Electromyography to evaluate the electrical activity of the muscles
• Genetic testing
• Muscle biopsy, in which a muscle sample is taken and evaluated under a microscope

Thanks to our partnership with the University of Kansas Medical Center, our neuromuscular disorder team is among the nation's most involved in clinical research and trials. Our patients benefit from the field's most advanced treatment options.

While neuromuscular disorders are not curable, controlling symptoms is possible. Our experts use a variety of medications and therapies to help control symptoms. Patients often can work and enjoy their families, friends and hobbies, living full and normal lives.