THE NEUROMUSCULAR UNIT
The Neuromuscular Unit of Pediatric Neurology at CHAM is a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders. With support from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, our team of physicians are able to treat all patients in need of care.
Understanding Muscle and Nerve Disease
Diseases of the muscle, nerve, and neuromuscular junction present in many ways. These conditions can sometimes be caused by genetic problems. Many of these conditions can progress over time. Symptoms can present in infancy, early childhood, or adolescence and may include:
- Shoulder and pelvic girdle muscle weakness
- Foot weakness
- Clumsy movement and tiptoe walking
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Frequent trips and falls
- Inability to jump or hop normally
- Difficulty with eye movements or drooping eyelids
- Numbness
Early Diagnosis and Individual Treatment
Neuromuscular disorders can require complex evaluation for diagnosis. Here, patients and families can receive comprehensive testing, counseling, and treatment.
Led by Steven Herskovitz M.D. (Director, Neuromuscular Division) and LeslieDelfiner, M.D. (Co-Director, MDA Care Center at Montefiore), the division specializes in:
- Entrapment neuropathy - carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) & other uncommon entrapments
- Laryngeal voice disorders - diagnostic laryngeal electromyography (EMG)
- Motor neuron disorders - spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Kennedy disease, post-polio syndrome
- Myopathy - dystrophy, metabolic, congenital, mitochondrial, inflammatory, muscle membrane channelopathy
- Nerve injury
- Neuromuscular junction disorders - myasthenia gravis, myasthenic syndrome, botulism, congenital myasthenic syndromes
- Peripheral neuropathy - acquired and hereditary
- Peripheral nerve hyperexcitability
- Plexopathy
- Radiculopathy
Empowering Children and Caregivers
Our doctors and their support staff are committed to empowering not just children, but their families and caretakers through education of all the treatment options. We want to find the approach that works best for you, including nonsurgical options like:
- Braces, splints, and positioning aids
- Medications
- Nutritional counseling
- Physical therapy
We also recognize that living with a chronic condition can have long-term psychological effects. We’re here to provide access, information, and referrals to additional resources–like the Muscular Dystrophy Association–to help overcome additional stress and fatigue.
Treating neuromuscular disorders is a lifelong endeavor. Our physicians and support staff are dedicated to compassionate care that lasts.