Neuromuscular Subdivisions
MDA/ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Our clinic is the first and largest multidisciplinary care center for patients with ALS in the United States dedicated to the treatment of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Many of our Team Members have practiced together for over 20 years and we hold ourselves to the highest standards when caring for patients with ALS.
We use a Team Approach to assist patients with ALS to cope with their disease and apply the latest therapies and proactive symptom management in a positive and caring setting. ALS patients and their families attend the MDA-ALS Clinic, where they are seen by a team of 21 professionals from 11 specialties. Our center is actively involved in both clinical research trials and basic science research. Information is provided regarding available clinical trials and the latest developments in ALS research.
MDA/Myotonic Dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, affecting approximately 1 in 8,000 individuals worldwide. This inherited disorder originates in a gene defect that causes progressive muscle weakness in the arms, hands, hips and lower legs. People with myotonic dystrophy may also experience early cataracts, heart arrhythmias, cognitive problems and hormonal changes.
The Myotonic Dystrophy Clinic at the Methodist Neurological Institute was developed to address and minimize the challenging aspects of this multisystemic disorder, help improve survival and quality of life, and foster research. The clinic is staffed by a team that includes two neurologists, a cardiologist, pulmonologist, respiratory therapist, sleep specialist, nutritionist, social worker, genetic counselor, physical and occupational therapists, and home health agency vendors. It offers a range of laboratory and diagnostic testing to assess patients for related diseases.
EMG and Motor Control
The Electromyography (EMG/NCV) and Motor Control Laboratory, staffed by four neurologists, welcomes patients with weakness and numbness. Our focus includes myopathy, neuropathy, cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve entrapment syndromes, motor neuron disease, muscular dystrophy, and other disturbances of neuromuscular compromise. We also provide expertise in critical care neuropathy and myopathy, evaluating phrenic nerve and diaphragm dysfunction. Further, we specialize in patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, addressing urinary and rectal compromise.
Muscle and Nerve Histopathology
Utilizing the latest and most advanced histology techniques, our laboratory processes and evaluates skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve to aid in diagnosing conditions such as inflammatory myopathies, muscular dystrophies, vasculitis, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis and inflammatory neuropathies. Light microscopy (paraffin and frozen sections), enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural (electron microscopy) studies are performed on muscle tissue. Nerve samples are evaluated by light microscopy, nerve teasing, resin embedded light microscopy (semi-thin sections) and electron microscopy.
We provide surgical services for obtaining biopsies and also receive specimens from outside institutions. Our biopsies are all open biopsies and performed under local anesthesia.
