CMT Disease | Charcot Marie Tooth

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (also known as CMT) is a neuromuscular disorder that slowly causes progressive damage to the nerves, usually due to the loss of the electrical insulation (myelin) around the nerve fibers. All nerves are affected by CMT, but motor nerves (the nerves that stimulate movement) are most severely damaged by the disease.

Damage starts in the lower legs with numbness and wasting of muscle tissue. Other symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth include thickened nerve bundles under the skin of the leg, the absence of stretch reflexes, loss of muscle control and atrophy in the foot or leg. Symptoms typically begin to appear in adolescence or early adulthood. The severity of symptoms can vary significantly, even among family members with CMT.

This disorder is inherited, and currently there is no cure. The most common medical recommendations are leg braces and/or orthopedic shoes. In some cases, doctors may recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy or orthopedic surgery in addition to braces or shoes.

Shoe Recommendations: Healthy Feet Store offers an excellent selection of orthopedic shoes that may help address the symptoms of CMT. Talk to your doctor to learn more about which shoes are right for you.

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