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Living with Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2Q

An inherited muscle condition with weakness that starts in early childhood and slowly worsens.

Understanding Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2Q

Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2Q is an inherited muscle condition with weakness near the center of the body that starts in early childhood.

Children may have occasional falls and trouble climbing stairs. The condition gets worse over time, and the ability to walk is lost in early adulthood. Muscle wasting and multiple stiff joints (contractures) have been reported in rare cases.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Trouble climbing stairs
  • Frequent falls
  • Weakness of the hip and shoulder muscles
  • Delayed motor skills
  • Gowers sign (using hands to push up from the floor)
  • Loss of ability to walk

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in PLEC are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Speak Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Speak Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Muscular Dystrophy Association and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Can genetic testing for the PLEC gene confirm the diagnosis?
Which mobility aids or therapies could help over time?
How often should my heart and breathing be checked?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesPLEC

It is caused by changes in the PLEC gene. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2q; autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy due to plectin deficiency; lgmd type 2q; lgmd2q; lgmdr17; limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2q

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2QGARD ID 12542 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2Q.

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