Myopathies are diseases of muscle.

Like neuropathies, myopathies are characterised by:

• muscle weakness
• muscle atrophy
• the pattern of muscle weakness seen in myopathies is usually proximal and symmetrical - this compares with a distal, or nerve or root distribution seen in neuropathies.
• tone normal or reduced
• reflexes normal or reduced

Sensory loss is not seen in myopathies.