What treatment slows muscle damage and can temporarily improve strength in MD?

• A. Corticosteroids
• B. Immunosuppressants
• C. Physical therapy
• D. Antibiotics

Answer: (A)

Corticosteroids slow the ongoing damage to muscle fibers in muscular dystrophy by dampening inflammation and helping stabilize muscle membranes. This reduces the rate at which muscle is broken down and can temporarily improve the amount of force a muscle can produce, leading to a practical boost in strength and a slower overall decline in function. This disease-modifying effect is why corticosteroids are a standard part of care for many forms of MD, particularly Duchenne.

Immunosuppressants aren’t the usual first-line choice because their benefits in MD aren’t as clearly proven and they carry more risks with long-term use. Physical therapy is crucial for maintaining range of motion and delaying contractures, but it doesn’t slow the underlying muscle degeneration. Antibiotics don’t affect the disease process at all; they target infections, not the muscle degeneration seen in MD.