Muscular Dystrophy vs. Cerebral Palsy: Understanding the Key Differences

Muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy (CP) are both neurological disorders. The two disorders have many similarities, but there are also many differences between them.

Muscular Dystrophy

• Muscular dystrophy involves the loss of muscle tissue. For this reason, a person with muscular dystrophy will have weak muscles.

Cerebral Palsy

• Cerebral palsy affects body movement in addition to muscle coordination. CP affects the nervous system, resulting in symptoms like poor hand-eye coordination and problems communicating.

Causes

• Many types of muscular dystrophy are inherited. Cerebral palsy is usually caused by fetal damage, birth complications or a traumatic head injury during early childhood.

Prognosis

• Muscular dystrophy is a progressive disorder. As time moves on, a victim suffers a greater loss of muscle tissue. CP is not a progressive disorder, although it can lead to secondary conditions.

Secondary Conditions

• Muscular dystrophy can lead to cardiomyopathy, a disturbed heart rhythm. CP is associated with secondary conditions like tight muscles and faster-aging organs.