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  Physical Disability

Core information

What causes physical disability?

Other Causes

Neuromuscular Disorders

In neuromuscular disorders, the muscles do not work properly because of an abnormality in the muscle fibres, the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord or the nerve fibres connecting them. All neuromuscular disorders have a genetic cause. There are several types, including:

Muscular Atrophy

There is no damage to the spine, but because the muscles receive no electrical impulses, they gradually waste away. There is no loss of feeling or sensation. It is not thought to be hereditary.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) is an inherited disease that causes weakening and wasting away of the muscles.

I M P L I C AT I O N S   F O R  D A I LY L I V I N G

most children around the age of nine who have muscular dystrophy will use a wheelchair and be quite limited in body functions

people may often have difficulty carrying out activities when they need to lift their hands above their shoulders, for example, combing hair

effects on lower limbs will create difficulties with steps and stairs

improving participation in school, work and community activities is important

With adequate support, people enjoy regular family, community, education, leisure and work activities.

W A Y S  O F  A S S I S T I N G

As for other forms of physical disability. Plan activities where access to services is possible.

Motor Neurone Disease

Motor Neurone disease (MND) is a disorder of unknown origin. Cells in the neurological system's motor nerves degenerate and die.

Upper and lower motor neurones may be affected but sensory cells retain their normal functions.
Three types of MND are identified:

• amytrophic lateral sclerosis (50 percent of patients)
• progressive muscular atrophy (25 percent) in which the prognosis is better than for AML bulbar palsy
• AML bulbar palsy (25 percent)

W H O  G E T S  I T?

Men are affected more than women. It affects about seven people in 100,000.  Those affected usually die within three to five years The average age of death is 60.

I M P L I C AT I O N S  F O R  D A I LY  L I V I N G

There is no medical treatment - patients need physical and psychological support with aids to help them overcome disabilities.

Underdevelopment of Skeletal Structure

This is caused by conditions which can be drug related or genetic in nature.

In the early 1960s a morning sickness drug called thalidomide was often prescribed. This medication in some cases led to the malformation of limbs in the developing foetus.

Dwarfism is one of the more well known genetic conditions resulting in short stature. Skeletal dysplasia (of which dwarfism is one) have been identified as resulting from mutations in different genes.