Neuromuscular diseases affect the function of muscles due to problems with the nerves and muscles in the body. There are many neuromuscular disorders, and treatment by an experienced multidisciplinary team, such as the one at Westchester Medical Center, is vital. Specialists at Westchester Medical Center provide care for a full range of neuromuscular disorders, which affect the nerves responsible for voluntary muscle movement and the relay of sensory information to the brain.
Physicians evaluate and diagnose patients experiencing muscle weakness, muscle loss, movement difficulties, issues with swallowing or breathing, numbness, tingling, pain, and other symptoms. Care is available for individuals diagnosed with a wide range of pathologies, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other diagnoses.
Neuromuscular Conditions Treated at WMCHealth
Some symptoms common to neuromuscular disorders include:
- Muscle weakness that can lead to twitching, cramps, aches and pains
- Muscle loss
- Movement issues
- Balance problems
- Numbness, tingling or painful sensations
- Droopy eyelids
- Double vision
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
Types of neuromuscular disorders include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myopathy
- Myositis, including polymyositis and dermatomyositis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Spinal muscular atrophy
Why Choose Us?
Westchester Medical Center is recognized by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as a top healthcare institution. As an MDA Care Affiliate, we are proud to offer our adult patients who have muscular dystrophy, ALS, spinal muscular atrophy and other neuromuscular diseases improved access to expert multidisciplinary care, clinical trials, and connections within the neuromuscular community. To schedule a neuromuscular disease consultation, call 914.345.1313.
Our Approach
The Neuromuscular Disease Program brings a comprehensive approach to care, beginning with diagnosis.
Diagnosis
A physician will examine the patient and take a medical and family history. Checking a patient’s reflexes and muscle strength, as well as evaluating other symptoms, may lead a physician to order other diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood test to check for elevated enzymes
- Electromyography (EMG) to record the electrical activity of each muscle
- Nerve conduction studies to see how well signals travel from nerve to muscle
- Muscle biopsy to examine a sample of muscle tissue under a microscope
- Genetic testing to confirm gene mutations
Treatment
Treating symptoms, delaying disease progression and enhancing quality of life for patients is accomplished with medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy and, when necessary, surgery.
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). EMG results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with nerve-to-muscle signal transmission.
Motor neurons transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract. An EMG uses tiny devices called electrodes to translate these signals into graphs, sounds or numerical values that are then interpreted by a specialist.
During a needle EMG, a needle electrode inserted directly into a muscle records the electrical activity in that muscle.
A nerve conduction study, another part of an EMG, uses electrode stickers applied to the skin (surface electrodes) to measure the speed and strength of signals traveling between two or more points.
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MDA Clinic
We are proud to be a partner of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), which is dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and numerous related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength and mobility. To see a list of diseases and learn more about each, visit this MDA disease resource page.
For more information, please visit mda.org or join MDA for free.
Peripheral Nerve Program
The outcome of peripheral nerve injury depends upon the location, nature and severity of the injury. Our peripheral nerve specialists, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, pain management specialists and physiatrists, use their expertise to diagnose, characterize and treat different nerve injuries.
Electromyography may need to be performed to locate, characterize and determine the severity of the injury. The treatments may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications and, in some cases, surgery.
Office Appointments
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Suite 3850S
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Phone: 914.345.1313
Fax: 914.345.5004
Patients in remote locations may have the opportunity to receive care via telemedicine.
Our Team
Jin Li, MD
Chief, Neuromuscular Section
Medical Director, Headache Service
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation