About
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is an inherited
neurological disease characterized by a slowly progressive
degeneration of the muscles in the foot, lower leg, hand, and
forearm, and a mild loss of sensation in the limbs, fingers,
and toes. The first sign of CMT is generally a high arched foot
or gait disturbances.
Other
symptoms of the disorder may include foot-bone abnormalities
such as high arches and hammer toes, problems with hand
function and balance, occasional lower leg and forearm muscle
cramping, loss of some normal reflexes, occasional partial
sight and/or hearing loss, and, in some individuals, scoliosis
(curvature of the spine).
People
with CMT disease usually begin to experience symptoms in
adolescence or early adulthood. There is no cure for the
disease, but there are treatment options, including physical
therapy and bracing. Life expectancy is usually
normal.
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