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Living with Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R18

An inherited muscle condition with weakness, learning difficulty, and movement problems, starting in infancy or childhood.

Understanding Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R18

Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R18 is an inherited muscle condition that starts in infancy or childhood and can also affect thinking.

Weakness near the center of the body slowly gets worse and can reduce walking. People also have muscle aches and tiredness. Other features include unusual movements in infancy, trouble with trunk balance, and intellectual disability. Scoliosis and hip problems are possible. Eye features and seizures are less common.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Weakness in upper arm and upper leg muscles
  • Muscle aches (myalgia)
  • Waddling or unusual walk
  • Cataracts (clouding of the lens)
  • Delayed or absent speech
  • Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)

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 TRAPPC11 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 TRAPPC11 gene confirm the diagnosis?
Should my child have regular eye exams for cataracts?
Which therapies can support speech and development?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startInfant and as a Child
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesTRAPPC11

It is caused by changes in the TRAPPC11 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 2s; autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy caused by mutation in trappc11; autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2s; lgmd type 2s; lgmd2s; lgmdr18

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R18GARD ID 12543 · 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 R18.

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