What is a common symptom of Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is primarily characterized by muscle weakness, which is indeed a common symptom associated with the condition. This genetic disorder affects the muscle fibers, leading to progressive muscular degeneration and weakness, particularly in the skeletal muscles. The weakness typically starts with the proximal muscles, such as those around the hips and shoulders, before it may progress to other muscle groups.

In the context of DMD, the muscle weakness stems from the absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps maintain the structural integrity of muscle cells. As muscle cells are damaged over time, they become replaced by fatty and connective tissue, further contributing to the weakness.

While joint inflammation, wrist pain, and calcium deposits can occur in various medical conditions, they are not characteristic symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Joint inflammation can be seen in autoimmune disorders, wrist pain is typically related to repetitive strain injuries, and calcium deposits may occur in certain muscle diseases but are not specific to DMD. Therefore, muscle weakness is the hallmark symptom that defines this particular disorder.