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Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of hereditary disorders that affect the nerves in your arms and legs, causing muscle weakness and decreased muscle bulk, as well as decreased sensation. Symptoms may vary widely in severity, even among family members, but tend to very slowly worsen over time.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth symptoms usually begin in your feet and legs, but may also eventually affect your hands and arms. Foot deformities such as hammertoes and high arches are common in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Muscle weakness and loss of balance can make walking difficult.

According to the National Institutes of Health, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease affects about one person in 2,500. Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease typically appear in adolescence or early adulthood.

Signs and symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease may include:

• Weakness in your legs, ankles and feet
• Loss of muscle bulk in legs and feet
• High foot arches
• Curled toes (hammertoes)
• Decreased ability to run
• Difficulty lifting your foot at the ankle (footdrop)
• Awkward or higher than normal step (gait)
• Frequent tripping or falling
• Decreased sensation in your legs and feet
• Numbness and pain in your legs and feet

As Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease progresses, symptoms may not be limited to the feet and legs but may also involve the thighs, hands and arms.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of related conditions all caused by inherited mutations in the genes involved with the structure and function of the nerves that serve your feet, legs, hands and arms.

In some cases, these genetic mutations result in damage to the nerve itself. Other mutations damage the myelin sheath, the protective coating that surrounds the nerve. The end result, however, is the same — weaker messages traveling between your extremities and your brain.

That means some of the muscles in your feet may not receive your brain's signal to contract, so you're more likely to trip and fall. And your brain may not receive pain messages from your feet, so if you've rubbed a blister on your toe, for example, it may get infected without your realizing it.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is hereditary, so you are at higher risk of developing the disorder if anyone in your immediate family has had the disease.

Complications of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) vary in severity from person to person, with foot abnormalities and difficulty walking generally being the most serious problems. Muscle weakness may increase, and injury to areas of the body with decreased sensation may occur.

While you might first discuss your symptoms with your family doctor, he or she will probably refer you to a neurologist for further evaluation.

What you can do
Because appointments can be brief, plan ahead and write lists of important information, including:

• Detailed descriptions of all your symptoms
• All your medications and dosages, including nonprescription drugs and supplements
• Questions for the doctor, such as what tests or treatments he or she may recommend

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will want a detailed description of your symptoms, and will ask if anyone in your family has ever had similar symptoms.

During the physical exam, your doctor may check for:

• Signs of muscle weakness in your arms, legs, hands and feet
• Decreased muscle bulk in your legs
• Reduced reflexes
• Sensory loss in your feet and hands
• Foot deformities, such as high arches or hammertoes

Your doctor may recommend the following tests, which can help provide information about the extent of your nerve damage and what may be causing it.

• Nerve conduction studies. These tests measure the strength and speed of electrical signals transmitted through your nerves. Electrodes are placed on your skin and deliver small electric shocks that stimulate the nerve. Delayed or weak responses may indicate a nerve disorder such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
• Electromyography (EMG). A thin needle electrode is inserted through your skin into the muscle to be tested. Electrical activity is measured as you relax and as you gently tighten the muscle. Your doctor may be able to determine the distribution of the disease by testing different muscles.
• Nerve biopsy. A small piece of peripheral nerve is taken from the calf of your leg through an incision in your skin. Laboratory analysis of the nerve distinguishes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease from other nerve disorders.
• Genetic testing. These tests, which can detect the most common genetic defects known to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, are done by blood sample. Genetic testing may give people with the disorder more information for family planning.

There's no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. However, some treatments can help you manage its signs and symptoms.

Medications
In some cases, the pain associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can be severe. Prescription pain medication may be required to control it.

Therapy

• Physical therapy. Physical therapy for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease involves muscle strengthening and stretching to prevent muscle tightening and loss. A physical therapy program usually consists of low-impact exercises and stretching techniques guided by a trained physical therapist and approved by your doctor. Started early and followed regularly, physical therapy can play an important part in delaying nerve deterioration and muscle weakness before disability occurs.
• Occupational therapy. Some people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease may experience weakness in their arms and hands, causing difficulty with gripping and finger movement. Normal daily activities, such as fastening buttons or writing, can become difficult. Occupational therapy can help you deal with such challenges through the use of assistive devices, such as special rubber grips on doorknobs or clothing with snaps instead of buttons.
• Orthopedic devices. Many people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease require the help of certain orthopedic devices to maintain everyday mobility and to prevent injury. Leg and ankle braces or splints can provide stability during walking and climbing stairs. Wearing boots or high-top shoes may provide additional ankle support. Custom-made shoes or shoe inserts may improve your gait. If you have hand weakness and difficulty with gripping and holding things, thumb splints may help.

Surgery
If foot deformities are severe, corrective foot surgery may help alleviate pain and improve your ability to walk. But surgery can't improve weakness or loss of sensation.

Certain tactics may prevent complications caused by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and improve your ability to manage the effects of the disorder.

Started early and followed regularly, at-home activities can provide protection and relief:

• Stretching exercises. The goal of stretching is to improve or maintain the range of motion of your joints. Stretching improves your flexibility, balance and coordination. Stretching may also reduce your risk of injury. If you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, regular stretching can prevent or reduce joint deformities that may result from uneven pulling of muscle on your bones.
• Exercise regularly. Daily exercise keeps your bones and muscles strong. Low-impact exercises, such as biking and swimming, are less stressful on fragile muscles and joints. By strengthening your muscles and bones, you can improve your balance and coordination, reducing your risk of falls.
• Improve stability. Muscle weakness associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease may cause you to be unsteady on your feet, which can lead to falling and serious injury. Walk with a cane or a walker to increase your stability. Good lighting at night can help you avoid stumbling and falling.

Foot care is important
Because of foot deformities and loss of sensation, regular foot care is important to help relieve symptoms and to prevent complications:

• Inspect your feet. Daily inspection of your feet is important to prevent calluses, ulcers, wounds and infections.
• Take care of your nails. Cut your nails regularly. To avoid ingrown toenails and infections, cut straight across and avoid cutting into the nailbed edges. Consider regular professional pedicures.
• Wear the right shoes. Use shoes that fit properly and are roomy and protective. Consider wearing boots or high-top shoes for ankle support.
• Soak and moisturize the skin of your feet. Daily cold and warm foot soaks followed by application of petroleum jelly or other moisturizers keep the skin of the feet moist and pliable. This can be very effective in alleviating neuropathic pain and foot discomfort.

Support groups can be valuable in dealing with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. They bring together people who are coping with the same kinds of challenges, along with their family and friends. Support groups provide a setting in which people can share their common problems and provide ongoing support to one another.

Ask your doctor about support groups in your community. Your local health department, public library, telephone book and the Internet also may be good sources to find a support group in your area.