TOC  | D-Dx    

Muscle Problems Differential  -   Outlines in Clinical Medicine on Physicians' Online 2001

A. Muscle Cramps

1.True Cramp (motor unit hyperactivity)
a. Ordinary cramps
b. Lower motor neuron disease
c. Hemodialysis cramps (usually lower extremities)
d. Heat Cramps
e. Fluid and electrolyte disorders (hypoglycemia, salt depletion, hyponatremia)

2. Drug induced Cramps : Nifedipine, ß-Agonists (especially Terbutaline) , Alcohol , Lithium , Phenothiazines , Cimetidine , Morphine, Clofibrate , Penicillamine

3. Contracture
a.Metabolic mypopathy
b.Thyroid disease (hypothyroidism)
c.McArdle's disease

4. Tetany : Hypocalcemia , Hypomagnesemia , Hyperkalemia , and Hypokalemia , Respiratory alkalosis

B. Inflammatory Muscle Disease

1. Characterized by pain and proximal muscle weakness
2. Difficulty climbing stairs, combing hair
3. Polymyositis
4. Dermatomyositis
5. Inclusion-body myositis (viral?)
6. Granulomatous myopathy
7. Toxin Induced Myopathy

04182001