Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Also called: Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, Peroneal muscular atrophy

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a group of genetic nerve disorders. It is named after the three doctors who first identified it. In the United States, CMT affects about 1 in 2,500 people.

CMT affects your peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves carry movement and sensation signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Symptoms usually start around the teen years. Foot problems such as high arches or hammertoes can be early symptoms. As CMT progresses, your lower legs may weaken. Later, your hands may also become weak.

Doctors diagnose CMT by doing a neurologic exam, nerve tests, genetic tests, or a nerve biopsy. There is no cure. The disease can be so mild you don't realize you have it or severe enough to make you weak. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces and other devices and sometimes surgery can help.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following features are indicative of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • weakness in the legs, ankles and feet
  • loss of muscle bulk in legs and feet
  • high foot arches
  • curled toes
  • decreased ability to run
  • difficulty in lifting the foot at the ankle
  • awkward or higher than normal step
  • frequent tripping or falling
  • decreased sensation or a loss of feeling in the legs and feet

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Common Causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following are the most common causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • family history
  • duplication of a large region on the short arm of chromosome 17 that includes the gene PMP22

Risk Factors for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • diabetes
  • family history

Prevention of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

No, it is not possible to prevent Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.
  • family inheritance

Occurrence of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Extremely rare less than 1000 cases

Common Age Group

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • Nerve conduction studies: To measure the strength and speed of electrical signals transmitted through the nerves
  • Electromyography (EMG):To determine the distribution of the disease by testing different muscles
  • Nerve biopsy: To distinguish Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease from other nerve disorders

Doctor for Diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • Neurologist

Complications of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease if untreated

Yes, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease is left untreated:
  • foot abnormalities
  • difficulty in walking

Procedures for Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following procedures are used to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • Foot surgery: Diminishes the pain and improve the ability to walk
  • Occupational therapy: Improves the difficulty with gripping and finger movements

Self-care for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • Stretch regularly: Lowers the joint deformities and maintain the flexibility, balance and coordination
  • Exercise daily: Strengthen the muscles and bones

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
  • Physical therapy: Strengthen and stretch the muscles to prevent muscle tightening and loss

Patient Support for Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The following actions may help Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease patients:
  • Join support groups: Brings you together with the people suffering from same condition helps in dealing with the disease

Time for Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.
Degenerative Nerve Diseases
Muscle Disorders

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