Popeye arm

Figure 1. Popeye arm deformity in a patient with FSH muscular dystrophy

Myopathies may have a predilection for affecting certain muscle groups. In FSH dystrophy the biceps and triceps are more severely affected while the deltoid and forearm muscles are relatively spared.(Figure 1) The thinning of the arm with relatively normal bulk of the deltoid and forearm resembles the drawings of the cartoon character Popeye.(1) The Popeye arm appearance is fairly specific for FSH.

References

1. Campbell WW. Clinical signs in neurology : a compendium. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, 2016.