About Distal Myopathy
Key Highlights
-
Multidisciplinary approach tailored to a child's growth and development.Aims to preserve mobility and function in the hands and feet.Focuses on preventing or correcting joint contractures and deformities.Non-surgical therapies (like physical therapy) are a core component of management.Helps maintain independence and improve quality of life.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of a specific type of distal myopathy (e.g., Miyoshi myopathy, Nonaka myopathy).
- Progressive weakness in the distal muscles of the hands, forearms, lower legs, or feet.
- Development of foot drop (difficulty lifting the front part of the foot).
- Formation of joint contractures that limit movement and cause pain.
- Significant functional impairment affecting walking, hand use, or daily activities.
- Failure to achieve adequate symptom management with conservative therapies alone.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological and orthopedic evaluation to confirm diagnosis and assess muscle function.
- Pre-operative consultations with physical/occupational therapists for baseline assessment.
- Cardiac and respiratory evaluations, as some myopathies can affect these systems.
- Detailed imaging (MRI, ultrasound) to evaluate muscle condition and plan surgery.
- Family counseling to discuss goals, expectations, and the long-term management plan.
- Pre-operative blood tests and general health clearance for anesthesia.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection.
- Incomplete correction of deformity or recurrence of contractures.
- Nerve or blood vessel injury during the procedure.
- Delayed wound healing, which is more common in individuals with muscle disease.
- Post-operative pain and stiffness.
- Need for additional procedures in the future as the disease progresses.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for pain management, monitoring, and wound care.
- Use of casts, splints, or braces to protect the surgical correction.
- Early mobilization with assistance from physical therapists to prevent stiffness.
- A structured, long-term rehabilitation program focusing on strengthening and stretching.
- Regular follow-up visits to monitor healing, function, and disease progression.
- Ongoing use of adaptive equipment and orthotics as recommended by the therapy team.
-
Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
-
Expected recovery time: 6-12 months for full rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering distal myopathy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform distal myopathy. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for distal myopathy compare across other countries where we have data.
Ananya Singh is a bright 12-year-old...
Ananya Singh is a bright 12-year-old from Mumbai, India, who loves classical dance (Bharatanatyam). Over the past two years, her parents noticed she was struggling to keep up in her dance classes, specifically with movements that required rising onto her toes or maintaining certain foot positions. She began tripping more frequently and complained of aching in her calves and feet after minimal activity. After consultations with a neurologist and genetic testing, she was diagnosed with a form of Distal Myopathy, specifically affecting the muscles in her lower legs and feet. Her pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mehta, recommended bilateral gastrocnemius recessions, a procedure to lengthen the tight calf muscles, to improve her ankle range of motion, slow the progression of foot deformities, and help her maintain mobility and balance. The surgery was straightforward, and Ananya spent two nights in the hospital. She was in casts for three weeks, followed by aggressive physical therapy to regain strength and flexibility. A year later, while she still has the underlying condition, her gait is significantly improved, she trips far less, and she can participate in modified dance movements. The emotional journey was profound; Ananya felt a deep fear of losing her passion for dance and her independence. Post-surgery, she felt empowered, having taken an active step in managing her condition, and found new joy in adapted forms of artistic expression.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Distal Myopathy
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform distal myopathy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata