Charcot Marie Tooth Neuropathy Causes Peripheral Nerve Damage Symptoms

Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy is a group of inherited health conditions that are caused by various gene mutations. The genes involved serve your foot, leg, hand and arm nerves.

Charcot Marie Tooth neuropathy affects motor and sensory peripheral nerves by decreasing their signaling capability because of myelin sheath or nerve damage. Myelin sheath is the protective layer around nerves which also assists with extremely fast nerve transmission. Any damage to it, or the nerves themselves, substantially slows down communication between your central and peripheral nerves.

Charcot Marie Tooth neuropathy tends to progress slowly, usually with early symptoms appearing around adolescence. As your health condition worsens, the muscles connected to your damaged peripheral nerves may eventually weaken, waste and lose sensation.

Symptoms of Charcot Marie Tooth neuropathy, and their severity, vary greatly among individuals. Yet, some of this health condition’s general peripheral nerve damage symptoms include:

Some with Charcot-Marie-Tooth never realize they have the neuropathy because symptoms aren’t noticeable. This peripheral neuropathy is not fatal and a normal life expectancy is typical.

There’s no cure for Charcot Marie Tooth, but there are some recommended treatments to assist with neurological symptoms, such as:

  • cane, walker use increases stability
  • corrective surgery ~ severe foot deformities
  • wear boots, high-top shoes for ankle support
  • orthopedic devices ~ braces, splints provide stability
  • exercise, stretch regularly reduces joint deformities, improves balance & coordination
  • physical therapy ~ muscle strengthening, stretching to delay muscle weakness, tightening, loss

Because of sensation lose caused by nerve damage in your feet, regular foot inspection and care is important to identify and heal calluses, ulcers, lesions and wound infections.

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