Dr. Kiran B Nair , CEO of Vaidya Healthcare in Perumbavoor, Kerala talks about muscular dystrophy (MD), a rare genetic condition that affects the muscles. The chromosomal aberration present on the X chromosome affects a protein called dystrophin that is necessary to maintain the muscle cells in our body. The changes in the dystrophin protein cause the muscles to become weaker or stiffer over time. The mutation being X-linked, males are at more risk of developing the disease. There are many different types of muscular dystrophy based on the group of muscles that are affected. Duchenne MD, myotonic dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral MD, Becker MD, limb-girdle MD, oculopharyngeal MD, and Emery-Dreifuss MD are some of the different types of MD. Duchenne MD (DMD) is the most common form of MD and is often seen in young boys. The symptoms of MD start appearing at a very young age with children showing developmental delays. Some of the common symptoms are weak arms and legs, trouble climbing sta