The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) facilitated the translation of Dr. Hans Steinert’s initial descriptions of patients with myotonic dystrophy. This work was originally published in Steinert’s native language German.

In 1904, Dr. Steinert, then an Associate Professor at Leipzig Medical Hospital, presented three cases of myotonia congenita Thomsen, complicated by a progressive muscular dystrophy, to the Leipzig Medical Society. In his original publication, he noted that “the distribution of the dystrophy was “a peculiar one and the exact same in all three cases”. Steinert subsequently presented and reasoned “that the majority of cases of muscular atrophy in people with myotonic dystrophy” are characterized by specific symptoms and progression.

The article was translated by Dr. Corinna Fehle, PhD and thereafter clinically reviewed by Dr. Benedikt Schoser, MD. We would like to thank Dr. Adam D. Comer, MD for the idea to complete this translation. The translation is made available through funding from the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.

The pdf contains the translation, designated as draft as figures, legends, and references are not translated and the language itself has not been “modernized”, followed by the original article in German.

Click here to Read the Steinert Translation in English!

Click here to View the Original Steinert Publication in German!