Kennedy’s Disease Physiotherapy & Rehab Treatment

Best Kennedy’s Disease Treatment in delhi

What is Kennedy’s Disease ?

Kennedy’s Disease, also known as Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), is a rare, inherited, X-linked neurological disorder that primarily affects males. It is a slowly progressive condition that causes the motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord to degenerate, leading to muscle weakness and wasting.

Symptoms of Kennedy's Disease

Symptoms typically begin in adulthood, often between 30 and 50 years of age, and can vary in severity.

Common symptoms include:-
- Muscle Weakness and Wasting (Atrophy): This often starts in the proximal muscles (closer to the trunk) of the arms and legs, making it difficult to climb stairs, lift objects, or get up from a chair. It can also affect distal muscles (hands and feet).
- Bulbar Weakness: Affecting muscles of the face, mouth, and throat, leading to:-
- Dysarthria: Slurred or difficult speech.
- Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing, which can lead to choking or aspiration.
- Facial and Tongue Fasciculations: Visible twitching of muscles under the skin.
- Muscle Cramps and Spasms: Often painful and frequent.
- Tremors: Particularly of the outstretched hands.
- Gynecomastia: Enlargement of male breast tissue (due to androgen insensitivity).
- Endocrine Issues: Reduced sex drive, impotence, testicular atrophy, and sometimes infertility, as well as an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus.
- Fatigue: A common and often debilitating symptom.

Physiotherapy for Kennedy's Disease

There is currently no cure for Kennedy’s Disease, so treatment is focused on managing symptoms, maintaining function, and improving quality of life. Physiotherapy plays a crucial and ongoing role in this management.

Aims of Physiotherapy in Kennedy's Disease

The primary goals of physiotherapy for individuals with Kennedy’s Disease include:-

Maintaining Muscle Strength and Preventing Wasting:
- Gentle, moderate strengthening exercises: To maintain existing muscle strength and slow down the progression of muscle weakness. This might involve resistance bands, light weights, or bodyweight exercises.
- Avoiding over-fatigue: It’s crucial to find the right balance, as excessive exercise can sometimes be detrimental.
- Preserving Range of Motion and Flexibility:
- Stretching exercises: To prevent muscle stiffness, contractures (shortening of muscles), and maintain joint flexibility. This is especially important for tight muscles and to reduce cramps and spasms.
- Passive stretching: If the individual is unable to perform active movements.

Improving Balance and Reducing

Fall Risk:
- Balance training: Exercises to improve static and dynamic balance, such as standing on one leg, tandem walking, and walking on uneven surfaces.
- Gait training: Addressing abnormal walking patterns and improving stability during ambulation.
- Advice on assistive devices: Recommending walking aids (canes, walkers) or orthotics

(ankle-foot orthoses - AFOs) as the disease progresses to improve mobility and safety.

Addressing Bulbar Symptoms (in conjunction with Speech and Language Therapy):
- Facial and oral exercises: To maintain muscle strength and control for speech and swallowing, often supervised by a speech and language therapist.
- Breathing exercises and chest clearance techniques: To maintain respiratory function and reduce the risk of chest infections, especially if breathing muscles become weaker.
Managing Pain and Cramps:
- Massage and manual therapy: To increase circulation, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate pain.
- Stretching: As mentioned above, can help reduce muscle spasms and cramps.
- Heat or cold therapy: May provide symptomatic relief.
Maximizing Functional Independence:
- Practicing activities of daily living (ADLs): Working on tasks like transfers (getting in and out of a chair or bed), dressing, and showering.
- Home assessment and modifications: Advising on adaptations to the home environment (e.g., grab bars, raised toilet seats) and recommending assistive equipment to make daily tasks easier and safer.
- Energy Conservation Techniques:

Teaching strategies to conserve energy and manage fatigue, such as pacing activities and taking rest breaks.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Working Hours

Mon - Sat: 9:00AM to 8:30PM
Sunday: 9:30AM to 7:30PM

Call Us

+91 8090080906
+91 8090080907
+91 8866991000