Broken bones

Boys with DMD are at risk of broken bones and breaking a leg bone can mean that it is difficult to walk again if walking is already very difficult. Let your physical therapist and the rest of the care team know if there is a fracture so they can talk to the surgeons if necessary.

• Surgery is often a better option than a cast for a broken leg if someone is still walking.
• Input from a physical therapist is crucial to make sure that the boy gets back on his feet as soon as possible.
• If the broken bone is one of the vertebrae (backbones) with a lot of pain in the back, input from a bone physician or endocrinologist is needed to provide the right treatment (see here).

Information based on consensus statement (published in January 2010)