Myopathy and Myositis

Myopathy and myositis are rare muscle diseases that cause weakness, impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. Expert care from Henry Ford Health optimizes your muscle function and quality of life.

Doctors and patients from across the region put their trust in our team. We offer a full range of care options, including sophisticated tests and treatments for difficult-to-treat forms of the disease.

What are myopathy and myositis?

Myopathy and myositis are progressive neuromuscular disorders with symptoms that worsen over time.

• Myopathy affects muscles that connect to your bones (skeletal muscles) and support voluntary movement, like walking and grasping.
• Myositis is when the immune system attacks muscle tissue, causing ongoing inflammation.

Types of myopathic disease and myositis

We care for all types of myositis and myopathic disease, including complex disorders that are challenging to treat.

Conditions we frequently see include:

• Autoimmune myopathy is due to immune system attacks on muscle tissue.
• Dermatomyositis affects the skin as well as your muscles.
• Inclusion body myositis occurs when there are unusual proteins in nerve cells.
• Inherited myopathies are passed down in families and may be present at birth.
• Metabolic myopathy occurs when enzymes supporting muscle contractions are missing.
• Mitochondrial myopathy happens when there are genetic changes (mutations) in microscopic structures that power your cells.
• Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic muscle diseases that cause weakening and wasting.
• Polymyositis occurs when there is muscle weakness on both sides of the body.

Myopathic disease and myositis symptoms

The symptoms you experience depend on the specific condition you have and how severe it is. You may have:

• Difficulty breathing and swallowing
• Inflammation and swelling
• Joint pain
• Muscle weakness, cramps or stiffness
• Unusual tiredness (fatigue)

Myopathy and myositis care at Henry Ford: Why choose us?

You receive services from neurologists with advanced training in neuromuscular conditions like myopathy and myositis. Our care always reflects the latest advances that lead to excellent results.

We work with additional experts to optimize your care and manage complications. Our extended team includes:

• Pulmonologists address lung complications, like difficulty breathing.
• Sleep medicine doctors detect and treat issues such as obstructive sleep apnea.
• Rheumatologists help manage myopathy that is due to immune system attacks.
• Cardiologists treat people who have or are at risk for heart complications.
• Neuropathologists (diagnostic specialists focused on neurologic disease) evaluate tissue samples under a microscope to confirm your diagnosis.
• Musculoskeletal radiologists interpret imaging studies of the bones and muscles.

Myopathy and myositis evaluation

Patients come to Henry Ford from great distances because of our outstanding diagnostic capabilities. We offer all the tests you need and our team has the experience to accurately interpret results and make a precise diagnosis.

Myopathic disease and myositis evaluations start with a detailed physical and neurologic evaluation. You then undergo testing:

• Electromyogram: This procedure assesses electrical activity in your muscles to measure the extent of tissue damage. Read more about our electromyography (EMG) lab.
• Image-guided biopsy: We use real-time imaging to pinpoint the source of your symptoms and take a tissue sample. Our specialized neuropathologists evaluate it for signs of disease.

Depending on the type of muscle disease, you may need additional tests such as:

• Blood work detects signs of inflammation, check enzyme levels and rule out other conditions.
• Genetic testing checks for inherited muscle disease.
• MRIs show us the fine details of muscle tissue.

Treatments for myopathy and myositis

Myopathy and myositis have no cure. But treatment can ease their impact on your life. The therapies that are best for you depend on your diagnosis.

You may benefit from:

• Physical therapy: We guide you through exercises to optimize muscle strength and relieve stiffness.
• Occupational therapy: As your abilities change, you learn new techniques for accomplishing everyday tasks.
• Lifestyle changes: Regular physical activity, a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help you feel your best.
• Medications: These drugs control certain types of muscle diseases by minimizing weakness and other symptoms.
• Immune disorder treatments: Immunosuppressants and steroids quiet attacks on muscle tissue. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) boosts your immune system.

Second opinions for muscle diseases

If you are a patient looking for a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment plan, we’re here to help. Myopathy and myositis experts review your case and may run additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. We also provide personalized treatment recommendations. Request an appointment.

Contact us

Learn more about myopathy and myositis care. Call us at (800) 436-7936 or request an appointment.