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A heterogeneous group of genetic conditions with Mendelian (autosomal dominant, recessive, or X-linked) or chromosomal etiology that is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
No HPO annotations are available for this condition.
To date, more than 500 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in the last exon 364 of TTN causing Udd distal myopathy – tibial muscular dystrophy (UDM-TMD) [, , , , ]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports.
Table 2.
Features of UDM-TMD
Udd distal myopathy – tibial muscular dystrophy (UDM-TMD) should be suspected in individuals with the following:
Distal myopathy. Ankle dorsiflexion weakness manifesting in the fourth to seventh decade
EMG abnormality. Profound myopathic changes in the anterior tibial muscle but preservation of the extensor brevis muscle
No approved treatments are currently available for hereditary neuromuscular disease. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with Udd distal myopathy – tibial muscular dystrophy (UDM-TMD), the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 5. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with UDM-TMD
Table 7.
Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with UDM-TMD
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency
| Evaluate disease progression need for rehabilitation orthotic treatment. | Every 1-4 yrs
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
No clinical trials have been registered for hereditary neuromuscular disease.
11 publications have been identified in PubMed for hereditary neuromuscular disease. Research spans Epidemiology / Natural History (27%), Diagnostic / Biomarker (18%), and Case Report / Case Series (18%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Disease patterns and progression | 3 | 27% |
Data assembled from 3 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 4:02 PM UTC
Feature | % of Persons w/Feature
Ankle dorsiflexion weakness | 100%
Drop foot at age 60 | 60%
Knee flexion weakness at age 60 | 60%
Waddling gait at age 60 | 25%
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
Serum CK concentration that is normal or slightly elevated
Muscle biopsy showing progressive dystrophic changes in the tibialis anterior muscle, with rimmed vacuoles at the early stages and end-stage replacement with adipose connective tissue at later stages of the disease
The diagnosis of UDM-TMD i...
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
Genes and disorders in the differential diagnosis of Udd distal myopathy – tibial muscular dystrophy (UDM-TMD) are listed in . Table 4. Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of UDM-TMD
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Mean Age at Onset | Initial Muscle Group Involved | Serum Creatine Kinase Concentration | Muscle Biopsy | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACTN2 | Distal actininopathy2 (OMIM 618655) | AD | 15-35 | Lower legs; later, also proximal limbs | 3-8x | ± rimmed vacuoles | — |
ANO5 | ANO5 muscle disease (distal anoctaminopathy) | AR | 15-55 | Asymmetric calf involvement | 10x | Nonspecific dystrophic myopathology | May present w/similarities to Miyoshi myopathy; Calf involvement starting w/pain hypertrophy weakness atrophy; Nonspecific dystrophic myopathology w/scattered fiber necrosis; Evolves slowly; persons remain ambulant into late adulthood. |
CRYAB | Alpha-B crystallinopathy (OMIM 608810) | AD | 32-68 | Distal limbs | 1.5-2.5x | Rimmed vacuolar pathology | — |
DES | Desminopathy (OMIM 601419) | ADAR | Juvenile / early adulthood | Distal limbs | Moderately | Consistent w/myofibrillar myopathy | DUX43SMCHD1 |
Facioscapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy | ADDigenic | 20 | Some may present w/ankle dorsiflexion weakness | 1-4x | Nonspecific | — | — |
DYSF | Miyoshi myopathy (See Dysferlinopathy.) | AR | Early adult | Posterior compartment in legs | 50x | Myopathic changes | Manifests as difficulty climbing stairs toe-walking; progresses to other distal proximal muscles (as in LGMD2B) |
FLNC | Distal actin binding domain (ABD)-filaminopathy (OMIM 609524) | AD | Early adulthood | Distal upper limbs calves | Normal or slightly | Scattered, grouped atrophic fibers | — |
GNE | GNE-related myopathy (Nonaka distal myopathy) | AR | 15-20 | Anterior compartment in legs in toe extensors | 10x | Rimmed vacuoles | Foot drop steppage gait w/progression to loss of ambulation after 12-15 yrs |
LDB3 | Zaspopathy4 (OMIM 609452) | AD | 40 | Anterior compartment in legs | Normal or slightly | Vacuolar myofibrillar myopathy | Weakness of ankle dorsiflexion followed by slow progression to calf muscles, finger wrist extensor muscles, intrinsic muscles of the hand; Proximal leg muscles eventually become involved.; Cardiomyopathy may occur at late stages. |
MATR3 | Vocal cord pharyngeal distal myopathy5 (See ALS Overview.) | AD | 35-60 | Lower legs hands; dysphonia, respiratory | 1-8x | Rimmed vacuoles | MYH7 |
Laing distal myopathy | AD | 20 | Anterior compartment in legs neck flexors | Moderately | Type 1 fiber atrophy in tibial anterior muscles; disproportion in proximal muscles | Early-onset (usually age 5 yrs) weakness, 1st of dorsiflexors of the ankles great toes then of finger extensors; Weakness of neck flexors; After ... | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
Biomarker and diagnostic research for hereditary neuromuscular disease has been reported in the published literature.
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Neuromuscular | Muscle MRI | Can identify affected muscles w/high specificity EMG |
Other | Consultation w/clinical geneticist /or genetic counselor | Treatment of Manifestations Table 6. |
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with UDM-TMD Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other Foot drop |
(typical) | Orthotic devices | Foot drop |
(severe) | Tibial posterior tendon transposition | Can be performed in patients in their 40s 50s to replace lost function of anterior tibial muscle long toe extensor muscles Surveillance Table 7. |
Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with UDM-TMD System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
Neuromuscular | Evaluate disease progression need for rehabilitation orthotic treatment. | Every 1-4 yrs Agents/Circumstances to Avoid Heavy muscle force training of weak muscles should be avoided. Evaluation of Relatives at Risk See for issues related to testing of at-risk relatives for genetic counseling purposes. Search ClinicalTrials. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
Heavy muscle force training of weak muscles should be avoided.
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Udd Distal Myopathy – Tibial Muscular Dystrophy"
View trials for hereditary neuromuscular disease
Testing and diagnosis research
2 |
18% |
Patient case studies | 2 | 18% |
Other research | 1 | 9% |
Research summaries | 1 | 9% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 9% |
Laboratory research | 1 | 9% |
Venugopal V (2026). [PMID: 29493971](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29493971/). *Unknown Journal*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Yuan J (2026). [PMID: 42081032](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42081032/). *Patient*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Molaei N (2025). [PMID: 41315541](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41315541/). *Scientific reports*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Deardorff AS (2025). [PMID: 41357548](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41357548/). *Case reports in neurological medicine*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Miletić M (2025). [PMID: 40075777](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40075777/). *Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Kodal LS (2025). [PMID: 40755160](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40755160/). *European journal of neurology*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Zhang X (2025). [PMID: 41269476](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41269476/). *Molecular neurobiology*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
de Lemus M (2024). [PMID: 39044101](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39044101/). *Journal of patient-reported outcomes*. [Other]
Alhammad RM (2024). [PMID: 39232665](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39232665/). *BMC neurology*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Bensoussan F (2024). [PMID: 39332945](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39332945/). *Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie*. [Case Report / Case Series]