DID YOU KNOW?

• Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

(FSHD) affects both men and women. Around five per cent of people with the condition develop symptoms before the age of 10 years.

• FSHD involves muscle loss that is usually most noticeable across facial (facio), back (scapula), and upper arm (humeral) muscles. Other areas, such as the abdominal core and legs, can also be affected. • Some symptoms of FSHD include: inability to whistle; inability to sip through a straw; eyes that don’t fully close when sleeping; difficulty performing situps and pull-ups; shoulder blades that “wing” out; difficulty raising arms above shoulder height; weakness in hands and fingers; foot dorsiflexion weakness; weak lower abdominal muscles; loss of pectoral muscles; curved spine; chronic fatigue; and pain, often severe.

Source: FSHD Society (fshdsociety.org)