The Neurologist and FSHD

Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system.  A neurologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nerves and nervous system.  Specifically, neurologists are focused on the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and muscle. Pediatric neurologists treat neurological disease in children.

In most cases, a primary care or internal medicine doctor will refer patients with suspected or confirmed FSHD to a neurologist for evaluation and follow-up.  A neurologist who has extensive training and experience with muscular dystrophies is referred to as a neuromuscular doctor (NMD) or specialist.  A neurologist will usually refer a FSHD patient to a rehabilitation doctor, known as a physiatrist, for further assessment and help.  Many FSHD patients find it useful to see their neurologist regularly, and consider their neurologist to be the doctor most involved in following their FSHD. 

• American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
• American Neurological Association
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Neurology, official journal of the AAN