Symptoms vary depending on the type of myopathy. Skeletal muscle weakness is the main symptom of most myopathies. There are some exceptions, such as myotonia and paramyotonia congenita (inheritable muscular disorders) in which the muscles become enlarged, rather than weakened and atrophied, and unable to relax after contracting.
In most myopathies, weakness occurs mainly in the muscles of the shoulders, upper arms, thighs, and pelvis. In some cases, the muscles of the hands and feet may be involved during the advanced stage of disease.
Typical symptoms of muscle disease include the following:
- weakness
- aching
- cramps
- pain
- stiffness
- tenderness
- tightness
