[Current strategies of conservative and operative treatment of the most frequent muscular disorders].

Though up to now no causal treatment for the majority of neuromuscular disorders is available, their disease progress and above all the quality of life of these patients can be decisively improved by established medical procedures. The main symptom is variably rapid, progressive muscle weakness, which leads to muscular imbalance and differently manifested impairment of motor functions. This results in the essential orthopaedic problems in these patients, e.g. contractures and deformities of the lower and upper extremities, foot deformities and sitting instability due to progressive scoliosis. Since the affected muscles have no physiological adaptability, they cannot be trained like healthy muscles. The orthopaedic treatment includes conservative methods, e.g. physiotherapy, orthotic devices and aids as well as surgical spine stabilisation and correction of the contractures of the lower extremities. Very important in the care of patients with neuromuscular disorders are the early prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory insufficiency by regular respiratory therapy to learn breathing and coughing techniques and self-exercises as well as the timely initiation of assisted ventilation.