Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease

Neurological Disorders

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease(CMT)

It is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders. It is also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) or peroneal muscular atrophy, comprises a group of disorders that affect peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves lie outside the brain and spinal cord and supply the muscles and sensory organs in the limbs. Disorders that affect the peripheral nerves are called peripheral neuropathies.

Symptoms

• Many people with CMT eventually develop contractures (stiffened joints) that result in deformities of the feet and hands.
• During walking, these deformities can cause unusual friction against the toes, heel and ball of the foot, leading to painful abrasions, blisters and calluses.
• The muscles that control the feet, lower legs, forearms and hands are most affected.
• There can be tingling and burning sensations in the hands and feet, usually causing only mild discomfort but sometimes causing pain. The sense of touch is diminished, as is the ability to sense changes in temperature.
• In many people with CMT, sensory loss is associated with dry skin and hair loss in the affected area.
• In rare cases, sensory loss can include gradual hearing impairment and sometimes deafness.

Living with the disease

• Stretch regularly. It would improve and maintain the range of motion of your joints. Stretching improves your flexibility, balance and coordination. Stretching may also reduce your risk of injury. Regular stretching can prevent or reduce joint deformities that may result from uneven pulling of muscle on your bones.
• Exercise daily. Exercising every day keeps your bones and muscles strong. Low-impact exercises, such as biking and swimming, are less stressful on fragile muscles and joints.
• Improve your 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. Walking with a cane or a walker can 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. 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. Brief, daily cold and warm foot soaks followed by the application of moisturizing lotions keep the skin of the feet moist and pliable. This can be very effective in reducing neuropathic pain and foot discomfort.

Cure and treatment

There is no known cure for this condition. The best options are physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces and certain other orthopedic devices which are used in order for the person to be able to handle the symptoms of CMT. In some cases even an orthopedic surgery is an option. The goal of all the possible treatments is to reduce the symptoms of the condition and make a person more able to live with the disease. In case of severe pain, a patient is usually prescribed certain painkillers.