Myotonia Congenita Overview
Learn About Myotonia Congenita
Myotonia congenita is an inherited condition that affects muscle relaxation. It is congenital, meaning that it is present from birth. It occurs more frequently in northern Scandinavia.
Thomsen's disease; Becker's disease
Myotonia congenita is caused by a genetic change (genetic variant). It is passed down from either one or both parents to their children (inherited).
Myotonia congenita is caused by a problem in the part of the muscle cells that are needed for muscles to relax. Abnormal repeated electrical signals occur in the muscles, causing a type of muscle stiffness called myotonia.
The hallmark of this condition is myotonia. This means the muscles are unable to quickly relax after contracting. For example, after a handshake, the person is only very slowly able to open and pull away their hand.
Early symptoms may include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Gagging
- Stiff movements that improve when they are repeated
- Shortness of breath or tightening of the chest at the beginning of exercise
- Frequent falls
- Difficulty opening eyes after forcing them closed or crying
Children with myotonia congenita often look muscular and well-developed. They may not have symptoms of myotonia congenita until age 2 or 3.
As cold and stress can worsen symptoms, management is first directed at avoiding these potential triggers. Some forms of exercise may also be beneficial. Mexiletine is a medicine that treats symptoms of myotonia congenita. Other treatments include:
- Phenytoin
- Procainamide
- Quinine (rarely used now, due to side effects)
- Carbamazepine
New Lexington Clinic
David Blake is a Neurologist in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Blake and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myotonia Congenita. His top areas of expertise are Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS), Essential Tremor, and Cerebellum Agenesis Hydrocephaly. Dr. Blake is currently accepting new patients.
New Lexington Clinic
Kimberly Hudson is a Pediatrics specialist and an Internal Medicine provider in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Hudson and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myotonia Congenita. Her top areas of expertise are Restless Legs Syndrome, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, and Hypertension.
Rudolph Tovar is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Tovar and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myotonia Congenita. His top areas of expertise are Uterine Prolapse, Myotonia Congenita, Neuralgia, and Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods. Dr. Tovar is currently accepting new patients.
The following resources can provide more information on myotonia congenita:
- Muscular Dystrophy Association -- www.mda.org/disease/myotonia-congenita
- National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus -- medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/myotonia-congenita/
People with this condition can do well. Symptoms only occur when a movement is first started. After a few repetitions, the muscle relaxes and the movement becomes normal.
Complications may include:
- Aspiration pneumonia caused by swallowing difficulties
- Frequent choking, gagging, or trouble swallowing in an infant
- Long-term (chronic) joint problems
- Weakness of the abdominal muscles
Contact your provider if your child has symptoms of myotonia congenita.
Couples who want to have children and who have a family history of myotonia congenita should consider genetic counseling.
Summary: The objective of the ActiLiège Next study is to collect longitudinal data from patients and control subjects using a wearable magneto-inertial device. By collecting natural history data in various neuromuscular disorders (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy 1, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Centronuclear Myopathy, Congenital Muscular Dystrophy), we aim to...
Summary: In the Congenital Myopathy Research Program at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the researchers are studying the congenital myopathies (neuromuscular diseases present from birth), including central core disease, centronuclear/myotubular myopathy, congenital fiber type disproportion, multiminicore disease, nemaline myopathy, rigid spine muscular dystrophy, SELENON (SEPN1), RYR...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bryan ES, Alsaleem M. Myotonia congenita. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Updated August 28, 2023. PMID: 32966006 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562335/.
Kang MK, Kerchner GA, Ptácek LJ. Channelopathies: episodic and electrical disorders of the nervous system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 98.
Manzur AY. Muscular dystrophies. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 649.
Selcen D. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 389.