Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), aka peroneal muscular atrophy, causes weakness and loss of sensation in the feet, legs and hands.
CMT is the most common inherited neurological disorder and affects approximately 1 in every 2,500 people.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease was first identified in 1886 by three doctors, Jean-Marie Charcot, Pierre Marie and Howard Henry Tooth.
CMT develops gradually, starting with symptoms of weakness and decreased sensation in the feet which can spread progressively over time up the legs, sometimes also affecting the hands and arms. It often results in abnormalities in the shape of the foot such as high foot arches.
Whilst there is no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, there are a number of treatment options available to reduce symptoms.
The symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease varying depending on the type of disease, but there are many shared characteristics including:
Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth develop gradually, usually starting during childhood and get progressively worse over time. CMT symptoms usually appear between the ages of 5 and 15 years.
Whilst CMT symptoms progress over time, in most cases, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease does not affect life expectancy. Occasionally however, it can cause breathing problems.
Charcot Marie Tooth Disease is a type of peripheral neuropathy. Let me explain. Our bodies are made up of two nervous systems:
In CMT disease, there is a problem with the peripheral nervous system.
There are two types of nerve in the peripheral nervous system:
Our nerves work by sending messages in the form of electrical signals from the central nervous system to the rest of the body through the peripheral nervous system.
Think of them like a telephone cable. The wires inside, known as the axon, transmit the electrical signals from one place to another.
The protective outer covering, known as the myelin sheath, protects and insulates the wires from damage so the signals can transmit without interruption. It also allows signals to transmit quicker.
In Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, there may be a problem with:
The Myelin Sheath: This breaks down, exposing the axon to damage, which affects the transmission of signals down the nerve
The Axon: which reduces the strength of the electrical signals
Charcot Marie Tooth disease is caused by a problem with genes. We are made up of around 30,000 pairs of genes. For each pair, we inherit one copy from our mother and one from our father to make a pair, so we have two copies of every gene.
Charcot Marie Tooth disease can be caused by a mutation of a number of different genes. The mutation affects the production of the proteins that form the axon and myelin sheaths in the peripheral nerves. Gradually over time, the nerves degenerate, reducing their ability to transmit signals.
There are three ways that we can inherit the genetic mutations that cause Charcot Marie tooth disease:
This is the most common cause of peroneal muscular atrophy and affects people where one parent has CMT.
Mutation of one of the inherited genes in the pair is sufficient to cause the disease. If one parent carries the mutated gene, there is a 50% chance of the disease being passed on
This affects people who's parents are carriers of CMT gene mutations but do not have the disease themselves.
It requires a mutation of both of the copies of the gene in a pair, i.e. both parents would have to pass on affected genes.
If both parents are carriers of mutated CMT genes, there is a 50% chance of their child being a carrier (carrying one CMT gene but not displaying any symptoms), 25% chance of having CMT disease and 25% chance of inheriting two normal genes.
If only one parent had a recessive CMT gene, their child would not develop peroneal muscular atrophy but would have a 50% chance of being a carrier
The mutated gene is linked to the X chromosome (female), not the Y chromosome (male). Males are made up of XY chromosomes and females have XX chromosomes.
When CMT disease is linked with an X chromosome, there is a 50% chance of a mother passing the disease on. If she passes the gene on to a son, he will be symptomatic. If she passes the gene on to a daughter, she is likely to only have mild symptoms as the unaffected X chromosome tends to override the condition.
Very rarely a gene may mutate spontaneously causing peroneal muscular atrophy, rather than being passed down genetically.
There are five main types of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease:
Diagnosing Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease starts with your doctor asking you about your symptoms and any
family history of the disease. Examination will start with observation
of your foot position, testing muscle strength, reflexes and sensory
testing. They will also look for signs of enlarged nerves that can be
seen or felt through the skin.
If your doctor suspects Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, you will be referred to a neurologist (a specialist
doctor of the nervous system). They will carry out further tests which
may include:
There is currently no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but a combination of therapy, orthotics, surgery and medication can help to reduce symptoms. Treatment for CMT Disease may include:
Rehab programmes are a vital part of peroneal muscular atrophy treatment.
Strengthening Exercises: help combat the weakness associated with the disease. They are most effective when started early, before the muscles have a chance to waste
Stretches: particularly for the calf muscles and Achilles tendon should be done daily to prevent muscle contractures
General fitness programmes also help to reduce fatigue from the extra effort required for movement. Low impact activities such as cycling and swimming are recommended to limit the force put through the joints.
It can also help to work on balance and posture to prevent injuries or associated problems.
This looks at ways to make your activities of daily living such as washing and dressing easier, through practical methods and using adaptive aids.
There's a huge variety of orthotics that be helpful with Charcot Marie Tooth disease, depending on your symptoms.
Each of these can help reduce the risk of injury for people suffering from Charcot Marie Tooth disease.
Analgesics may be prescribed to reduce pain associated with the disease. Neurotoxic drugs such as vincristine should be avoided as they can make the condition worse.
Sometimes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease surgery is necessary to combat structural deformities of the foot and ankle. Bone surgery such as an osteotomy or arthrodesis helps correct the shape of the foot such as realigning hammertoes, correcting severely fallen foot arches or fusing the ankle joint for stability.
Soft tissue release is done if muscles and tendons have become too type such as plantar fascia release. Spinal surgery may be required if a scoliosis has developed.
Exercises can make a big difference for people suffering from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Exercise programmes should be carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapist, but visit the strengthening exercises and ankle stretches for some suggestions of things that might help treat peroneal muscular atrophy.
If Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease is not sounding quite like your problem, visit the foot pain diagnosis section for help working out what is wrong, or the common foot problems section.
Page Last Updated: 10/05/22
Next Review Due: 10/05/24
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References
1. Gait & Posture Journal: Evaluation of muscle strength, balance and functionality of individuals with type 2 Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. de França Costa IMP, Nunes PS, de Aquino Neves EL, Lima Santos Barreto LC, Garcez CA, Souza CC, Pereira Oliveira PM, Sales Ferreira LA, Brandão Lima VN, de Souza Araújo AA. 2018
2. American Journal of Human Genetics: Mutations in ATP1A1 Cause Dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2.Lassuthova P1, Rebelo AP2, Ravenscroft G, Lamont PJ et al. American Journal of Human Genetics 2018
3. British Medical Journal Best Practice: Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. May 2018