DMD — where it's treated in the network
Most families arrive with genetics already confirmed and a drug regimen already prescribed — glucocorticoids (deflazacort or prednisolone), exon-skipping for eligible mutations (Exondys-51, Vyondys 53, Amondys 45, Casimersen), a single Elevidys infusion or ataluren for nonsense mutations — looking for who will take on the rehabilitation side. A network case manager will help compare clinics by disease phase (ambulatory / post-ambulatory / late), cardiac and respiratory status, then schedule the course around the injection calendar and steroid dosing.
Where it is treated in our network
4 clinics in our network offer different approaches to this diagnosis.
- Yuncheng, China
People's Hospital — Yuncheng
Surgical support for severe contractures: Achilles tenotomy for fixed equinus, hip flexor release for hip flexor contractures, scoliosis correction (spinal fusion) for severe neuromuscular scoliosis. Inpatient post-op rehabilitation with function recovery and AFO bracing.
Visit clinic site - Huizhou, China
Neurolife — Huizhou
Long-running program for DMD across all disease phases: specialized exercise therapy with contracture stretching, AFO bracing for equinus, aquatic therapy, cardiac-aware program with attention to ejection fraction. After loss of ambulation — passive joint mobilization, scoliosis bracing, BiPAP training for nocturnal hypoventilation. Coordination with home cardiologist and pulmonologist on glucocorticoid and exon-skipping protocols.
Visit clinic site - Shangrao, China
Hansi — Stem Cells
Experimental autologous cell therapy (MSC) for selected DMD candidates — adjunct to standard therapy (glucocorticoids + exon-skipping or gene therapy when applicable). 5-stage protocol with consultation+screening to determine response. Only after coordination with the treating neurologist and cardiologist.
Visit clinic site - Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Neurolife — Tashkent
Support program between visits to Chinese clinics: daily stretching program for contracture prevention, exercise therapy with an instructor, cardiac-aware program, brace monitoring. Without travelling to China — for CIS families. Rehabilitologist follow-ups, coordination with home cardiologist on schedule.
Visit clinic site
What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited progressive neuromuscular disease in which dystrophin, a protein in muscle cells, is missing or defective. It affects almost exclusively boys. ICD-10 codes it as G71.0 (muscular dystrophies). It occurs in 1 of every 3,500 boys; first signs are usually at age 2–5 (motor delay, waddling gait), with loss of independent walking typically at 9–13.
Families usually reach the network case manager with the diagnosis already confirmed by DMD gene analysis and a drug prescribed when indicated (eteplirsen, casimersen, golodirsen, Elevidys gene therapy). The rehabilitation side focuses on contracture and scoliosis prevention, cardiac and pulmonary follow-up. Details on causes, symptoms, diagnostics and the rehabilitation program are in the expandable blocks below.
Frequently asked questions about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Can rehabilitation be combined with exon-skipping therapy (Exondys-51, Vyondys 53)?
At what age should DMD rehabilitation start?
Does cell therapy help in DMD?
Which network clinic suits severe contractures?
Other directions in this category
Other diagnoses in this category — pick the most relevant one.
Talk to a network coordinator
The coordinator reviews your documents and suggests matching clinics. We reply on Telegram and WhatsApp within an hour on workdays.