Bethlem myopathy-1 (BTHLM1) is a congenital muscular dystrophy characterized by proximal muscle weakness and a combination of distal and proximal flexion joint contractures. The age at onset is highly variable, ranging from infancy to adulthood, and there is intrafamilial variability. Muscle biopsy may show myopathic and dystrophic features; serum creatine kinase is elevated. The progression is slow and ambulation is usually retained into adulthood (summary by Butterfield et al., 2013; Scacheri et al., 2002). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Bethlem myopathy, see BTHLM1A (158810). [from OMIM]