Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Article
- 2021-03-07
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders and almost all cases are hereditary. CMT damages the peripheral nerves of the body, preventing them from activating muscles or sending sensory information from the limbs back to the spinal cord and brain. There are several types of CMT disease, which can share some symptoms, but differ according to inheritance pattern and age of onset. The first symptoms are usually weakness or paralysis of the foot and lower leg muscles. As the disease progresses, weakness and reduced muscle mass can occur in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. People can lose the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch. Chronic shortening of muscles or tendons around joints prevents the joints from moving freely and muscle cramps are common. Some people have pain that can range from mild to severe. Genetic testing can detect the most common types of CMT.
Therapy
There is no cure for CMT, but physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces and other orthopedic aids and orthopedic surgery can help people deal with the disabling symptoms of the disease. In addition, analgesic medications can be prescribed to individuals with severe pain.
Prognosis
Symptoms of CMT usually begin in adolescence or early adulthood, but can occur at any age. The progression of the symptoms is very gradual. CMT affects both sensory and motor nerves (nerves that cause an impulse to contract a muscle). In addition to a reduced ability to sense vibrations, temperature changes and touch, weakness and muscle atrophy in the hands can cause problems with fine motor skills. The disease can cause curvature of the spine and hip displacement. Most people with CMT have some physical disability, although some people may never know they have the disease. CMT is usually not life-threatening and rarely affects muscles involved in vital functions such as breathing.
Did you not find what you were looking for? Search further in the
