Spinal Muscles Atrophy is characterised by progressive scoliosis. Treatment is similar to Duchenne Muscular Dytrophy except that fusion may be needed earlier. Patients exhibit symmetric paresis. The lower extremity and proximal muscles being the most commonly involved. This is a rare disease caused by demyelisation following a viral infection.
Patients suffer symmetric ascending motor paresis.
C.S.F. protein is usually elevated. The disease is usually self-limited. There are three major forms. The most commonly known cause is neurofibromatosis but it can be caused by any of several separate syndromes, most of them idiopathic. Treatment of the symptomatic leg-length discrepancy is discussed within the Paediatric Spine Disorders Section.