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Myotonic dystrophy--the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy--is a chronic, progressive, and inherited neuromuscular condition presenting with multisystemic complications including distal muscle weakness, myotonia, hypersomnolence, early-onset cataracts, cardiac conduction abnormalities, and slurred speech and swallowing problems (Harper, 2001).
Myotonia congenita is a disorder of voluntary (skeletal) muscle characterized by an exaggerated response to stimulation of certain muscle fibers (hyperexcitability). As a result, there is painless spasm (tonic spasm) of affected muscle after forceful voluntary contraction, abnormal muscle stiffness, and difficulty relaxing muscle (myotonia).