Signs and Symptoms

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

IN ADULTS

“The first time that I felt that something was wrong I was maybe thirteen, back in the days when I used to play hockey. I knew that I could play better than everybody because I was watching. I know that I can skate, but they wanted somebody who can skate down, fast, up and I couldn’t do that. Right there I was - maybe there’s something wrong.”

- Samuel

RECOGNISING SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF
SMA IN ADULTS

Have you experienced muscle weakness? Less severe forms of SMA can emerge and be diagnosed in adulthood.^1,2 Compared to childhood SMA, adult SMA may have milder symptoms, but is still progressive. Compared to SMA in childhood, the course of SMA in adults can be more insidious and difficult to recognise.³

This is why it is crucial to know how to identify the main signs and symptoms: if you are in doubt, ask your doctor.

In the image below, you can explore the signs and symptoms that are typically appearing in people living with SMA.

Download PDF Checklist

REDUCED BREATHING ABILITY

HYPOTONIA

lower than normal muscle tone

SCOLIOSIS

PROXIMAL MUSCLE WEAKNESS

especially in hips & shoulders

IMPAIRED
PHYSICAL FUNCTION

e.g. abnormal gait, difficulty running or climbing stairs

Hover on hotspots to learn more

Adapted from Montes J, 2020¹

“When I got the diagnosis, I was 16, going on my 17, I took it pretty good because it was putting a name on what I had.”

by Samuel

A lot has changed in the management of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Ask your doctor for a special referral today.

How to get diagnosed

SMA Care for Adults

Diseases with similar symptoms

CONNECT

to learn more about how to be part of the SMA community

Discover Communities

The characters shown are real patients and the required consent to use their stories has been obtained from the patients and families. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only.

References

1. Montes J. Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Adults. [online] [cited 2023 Jun 27]. Available from: URL:
https://www.neuropt.org/docs/degenerative-diseases-sig/spinal-muscular-atrophy-in-adults.pdf?sfvrsn=8d2aae96_2.

2. Juntas Morales R, Pageot N, Taieb G, Camu W. Adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy : An update. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2017;173(5):308-19.

3. Wang CH, Finkel RS, Bertini ES, et al. Consensus statement for standard of care in spinal muscular atrophy. J Child Neurol 2007;22(8):1027-49.

4. Arnold WD, et al. Muscle Nerve. 2015;51(2):157-67

5. Wijngaarde CA, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2020;15(1):88

RECOGNISING SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF
SMA IN ADULTS