The natural history of spine curvature progression in the nonambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient.

The natural progression of the spinal curve of eight nonambulatory Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) patients were followed from 38 to 91 months (average, five years and two months). Curve progression was seen in all patients. In patients whose curves exceeded 40 degrees, secondary complications, including loss of function diminished sitting tolerance, use of the arms and hands to prop the body up when seated, pain, and a diminished vital capacity (12-16%), were present.