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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffCharcot (shahr-KOH)-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, is a group of hereditary disorders that affects the nerves in your arms and legs. The disease predominantly causes muscle weakness and decreased muscle bulk with typically limited decreased sensation. With Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, symptoms may vary widely in severity, even among family members, but tend to slowly worsen over time.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth symptoms usually begin in your feet and legs, but may also eventually affect your hands and arms. Foot deformities such as hammertoes and high arches are common in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Muscle weakness and loss of balance can make walking difficult. Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease typically appear in adolescence or early adulthood, but late onset also occurs.
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/charcot_marie_tooth/charcot_marie_tooth.htm?css=print. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- Facts about Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and related diseases. Muscular Dystrophy Association. http://www.mda.org/publications/PDFs/FA-CMT.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- Inherited neuropathies. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2907233&print=yes. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- Cruse RP. Hereditary primary motor sensory neuropathies, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Treatment and management of CMT. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/about_cmt/prn_treatment.php. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- Klein CJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 23, 2010.
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