Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy assessment and treatment

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), is a muscular dystrophy that classically affects the shoulder girdle and facial muscles. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with limb girdle weakness. Progression is usually slow, and the condition is rarely fatal. Treatment is mostly supportive, although a number of patients can be helped with scapulo-thoracic fusion. This paper summarises the current understanding of this form of muscular dystrophy.