Which feature is commonly seen in facioscapulohumeral MD (FSHD) and limb-girdle MD (LGMD)?

• A. Scapular winging
• B. Foot drop appears in the very late stage
• C. Lifespan is always significantly reduced
• D. Weakness is limited to facial muscles

Answer: (A)

Scapular winging reflects weakness of the muscles that hold the shoulder blade flat against the chest wall, especially the periscapular stabilizers like serratus anterior, trapezius, and rhomboids. In facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, these scapular stabilizers are prominently affected, so the medial border of the scapula protrudes when the arms are lifted. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies also commonly involve the shoulder girdle and these same stabilizers, leading to the same winging pattern. Because both conditions frequently impair the same muscle groups around the scapula, this feature is commonly seen in both.

Foot drop can occur in some LGMDs but is not a defining, consistent feature of either condition. Lifespan varies and is not universally reduced in these dystrophies, so that characteristic isn’t reliable. Weakness limited to facial muscles is not typical of LGMD, and while FSHD can include facial weakness, the hallmark shared feature for both is the scapular winging from periscapular muscle weakness.