Life with muscular dystrophy can be challenging, but assistive technology can make a big difference. Tools such as walkers, wheelchairs, splints, and even ventilators help people stay as independent as possible, improve quality of life, and make daily activities more manageable.

This article covers 17 types of medical devices, grouped into categories — mobility aids, orthoses, respiratory aids, communication aids, and emerging technology. The assistive devices you or your loved one needs will depend on disease progression and symptom severity and may change over time. To find out which devices are right for you, talk to your doctor or health care team. They can provide advice tailored to your situation and help you plan for the future.

Mobility Aids

Progressive muscle weakness is one of the primary symptoms of muscular dystrophy. Most people affected by this neuromuscular disease will eventually need help walking and performing daily activities. Canes, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids can make daily living safer and more accessible and benefit both those living with the disease and their caregivers.

1. Canes

Canes can help with balance and reduce the risk of falling. Although they offer less support than other mobility devices, canes may be adequate for people with less severe symptoms who need a little extra stability.

2. Walkers

Like canes, walkers provide stability and lower the risk of falls. Rolling walkers require less muscle strength and balance than other types, making them a good option for people with limited upper-body strength.

3. Scooters

Scooters increase mobility and accessibility. They’re best suited for those who can sit upright with minimal back support and can get on and off the scooter without help.

4. Wheelchairs

Not everyone with muscular dystrophy will need a wheelchair, but there are plenty of options for those who do. The different types include manual and power wheelchairs, power-assisted versions, and portable models.

5. Adaptive Strollers

Adaptive strollers allow caregivers to safely and efficiently move someone from one place to another. These strollers provide extra support for the back and limbs.

6. Standers

These devices help people stay upright by supporting them in a standing position. Some wheelchairs have built-in standing devices, but standers are also available as individual mobility aids.

Orthoses

These orthotic devices can improve joint alignment and function in people with muscle weakness. Orthoses can also help manage contractures (tightening or shortening of muscles, tendons, and other tissues) by limiting the range of motion of a limb or joint. In people with scoliosis, orthoses support the torso to prevent further curvature of the spine.

7. Splints

Splints support wrists, ankles, and other joints to help people with muscle weakness continue to use their hands, arms, legs, and feet. Splints can also prevent or treat contractures.

8. Braces

The terms “braces” and “splints” are often used interchangeably, but braces also include orthotic devices designed to improve gait and provide extra support when walking. Some braces support the torso and help manage scoliosis.

Respiratory Aids

One of the side effects of muscular dystrophy is difficulty breathing. The same progressive muscle weakness that affects the arms, legs, and other parts of the body can also affect the muscles used for breathing. Your health care provider may recommend one or more respiratory aids.

9. Cough Assist Devices

Cough assist devices use a mouthpiece or face mask attached to a portable machine that mimics a natural cough. This helps clear secretions from the airways and makes breathing easier.

10. Vests

These wearable devices deliver gentle pulses of pressure on the chest wall to help loosen mucus, making it easier to cough and clear the lungs.

11. Ventilators

At-home ventilators are noninvasive machines that provide breathing assistance. These medical devices work by delivering air through a face mask attached to a tube.

Communication Aids

Augmentative and alternative communication devices help people with severe speech or respiratory muscle weakness communicate without speaking. This type of technology is always advancing, so work with a speech-language pathologist or a health care provider specializing in muscular dystrophy to get the latest recommendations for your situation.

12. Speech-Generating Devices

Speech-generating devices work by producing spoken words from prerecorded messages or using text-to-speech software.

13. Eye-Tracking Devices

Sensors in these devices detect eye movements, allowing users to control computers or other communication tools without using their hands.

14. Large Keyboards

Larger keys and adjustable font sizes make typing easier for people with weakened hand and finger muscles.

15. Sip-and-Puff Devices

Special sensors in sip-and-puff devices respond to changes in air pressure caused by inhaling and exhaling. This technology enables people to communicate by typing, and it can also be used to control power wheelchairs, household appliances, and other devices.

Emerging Technology

Assistive technology continues to advance, partly driven by clinical trials and feedback from families and caregivers who use medical devices. New tools can improve day-to-day independence and support for people with muscular dystrophy.

16. Exoskeletons

These wearable devices can help people with severe ambulatory issues regain independence and perform daily activities like combing their hair. Exoskeletons may be controlled by a joystick or voice command, and research shows that they greatly improve quality of life.

17. Adaptive Clothing

Adaptive clothing looks like everyday fashion but includes options with special features, such as adjustable-waist pants, shoes with hidden snaps, and shirts with magnetic closures. These items help people with muscular dystrophy dress independently while remaining comfortable and stylish.

Choosing a Medical Device

No matter the type of muscular dystrophy — Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, or another form — each person’s experience is unique, so a personalized approach is essential. A health care provider specializing in muscular dystrophy can recommend devices and treatment options tailored to your type of muscular dystrophy, disease progression, symptoms, and other factors.

Building a care team with specialists in neurology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy ensures regular checkups to monitor disease progression. Your health care team can help adjust your care plan, including updating devices and changing treatments if necessary.

You don’t have to navigate living with muscular dystrophy — or choosing medical devices — on your own. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your primary care doctor or your child’s pediatric provider for advice and referrals. The Muscular Dystrophy Association also offers medical equipment recommendations and resources.

Talk With Others Who Understand

Join myMDteam, the social network for people with muscular dystrophy and their loved ones. Members come together in this supportive online environment to ask questions, share advice, and connect with others who understand life with muscular dystrophy.

Do you have questions about muscular dystrophy medical devices? Which devices have you tried? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.