Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisComplicationsTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Complications

Treatment

Coping

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is not a tooth disease. It’s a genetic (inherited) nerve disease that affects the nerve health and functioning in your extremities, including your feet, legs, hands, and arms.

These nerve-signaling problems between the brain and body parts affect your sensory nerves (nerves that signal cold and hot or soft and hard) and motor functioning skills. CMT is named after the three doctors who first described the disease in 1886.

PrevalanceAccording to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CMT affects an estimated 126,000 individuals in the United States and 2.6 million people worldwide.This makes it one of the most common inherited neurological disorders.

Prevalance

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CMT affects an estimated 126,000 individuals in the United States and 2.6 million people worldwide.This makes it one of the most common inherited neurological disorders.

This article will explore the symptoms and causes of CMT, how to get a diagnosis, what treatment options are available to someone with CMT, prognosis or what to expect if you have CMT, and expert tips for coping with this genetic nerve disease.

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Person stretching their fingers while working at desk

Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease affect the legs and feet and hands and arms. They can include the following:

Pain Scales: Types of Scales and Using Them to Explain Pain

For example, in some cases only one copy of the genetic mutation from either biological parent is needed to inherit the disease. In these cases, a child with a biological parent with CMT has a 50% greater chance of inheriting the disorder.

Having a family member with CMT does increase your likelihood of inheriting the genetic mutation, but this is not the same as saying family history equals fate. Talk to a genetic specialist to determine your overall risk.

What Genomic Testing Can Tell You About Health Risks

Diagnosis for CMT typically begins with a conversation between someone and their healthcare provider. It usually involves the following:

If you’re experiencing symptoms or are feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or disorganized due to the stress of preparing for your medical appointment, you may want to consider bringing a friend or family member to take notes or bring up questions on your behalf.

Next, the healthcare provider may recommend detailed testing including:

What Is Genetic Testing?

Complications of nerve problems can occur. These include injuries from slipping or falling due to muscle weakness in legs and feet or infections in the feet that can go untreated due to a lack of typical pain sensation signaling or temperature sensations.Seeking medical treatment can help prevent complications.

There is no treatment that can cure CMT, however, there are ways to reduce symptoms impacting your quality of life. Options for CMT treatment include:

Struggling to accept a recent diagnosis is understandable and normal. Talking with a trained mental health professional may be helpful.

Summary

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease is a genetic condition that affects the nerves. Symptoms include weakness, pain, and sensory issues leading to challenges with motor skill functioning. While there is no cure, there are treatments that can help support a healthy life with CMT.

These include physical therapy to build strength and slow disability, occupational therapy and devices to help with mobility, and medications to reduce symptoms of pain. If interested, support groups and therapy may also help you cope with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kazamel M, Boes CJ.Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT): Historical perspectives and evolution. J Neurol. 2015;262(4):801-5. doi: 10.1007/s00415-014-7490-9. Epub 2014 Sep 9. PMID: 25201224.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.National Health Services.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Treatment.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kazamel M, Boes CJ.Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT): Historical perspectives and evolution. J Neurol. 2015;262(4):801-5. doi: 10.1007/s00415-014-7490-9. Epub 2014 Sep 9. PMID: 25201224.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.National Health Services.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Treatment.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kazamel M, Boes CJ.Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT): Historical perspectives and evolution. J Neurol. 2015;262(4):801-5. doi: 10.1007/s00415-014-7490-9. Epub 2014 Sep 9. PMID: 25201224.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.National Health Services.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Treatment.

Kazamel M, Boes CJ.Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT): Historical perspectives and evolution. J Neurol. 2015;262(4):801-5. doi: 10.1007/s00415-014-7490-9. Epub 2014 Sep 9. PMID: 25201224.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

National Health Services.Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Treatment.

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