1. Home
  2. Parents & Families
  3. Learning About Diagnoses & Conditions
  4. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)

On this Page
Answers to questions families often have about caring for their child with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (hereditary motor sensory neuropathy)?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, also called hereditary motor sensory neuropathy, is a group of disorders where the nerves from the spinal cord to the feet and hands do not work normally. Feet are usually more affected than hands because this condition affects the longer nerves to the feet before the shorter nerves to the hands. Symptoms appear in the lower extremities (below the hips to the toes) with foot shape abnormalities and possibly difficulty walking.

Is hereditary motor sensory neuropathy the same thing as CMT?

Both of these terms, hereditary motor sensory neuropathy and CMT, refer to the same condtion.

How do you get Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (hereditary motor sensory neuropathy)?

CMT is a genetic disorder (either passed on from the parents or by a gene change that occurred spontaneously in the child during development). There are many types of CMT depending on which gene change is responsible.

What are the symptoms?

Most children with CMT don’t get symptoms until adolescence, although symptoms for some of the types can appear sooner. Symptoms include abnormally shaped feet with high arches and sometimes deformed toes and weakness in the ankle muscles. Later on, hand weakness may develop. Some people with CMT may have scoliosis, back curvature, or problems with their hips. It does not affect the heart, lungs, or brain.
Usually, the changes like increased difficulty walking happen quite slowly. Children/adolescents with CMT may have difficulty with sports, handwriting for long periods, and may need 504 accommodations (see 504 Plan) at school to help them function at their best.

How is it diagnosed?

When assessing a child for possible CMT, the provider will ask about a family history of problems with walking, foot shape, etc.
CMT is diagnosed by a combination of EMG (electromyography)/NCV (nerve conduction velocities) and genetic testing for the specific type of CMT. EMG/NCV looks at the velocity of the nerve response along a nerve, which can be altered in some types of CMT and the amplitude or strength of the nerve response which is altered in other types of CMT. Genetic testing checks the child's DNA for gene changes that cause CMT. This helps doctors tell the patient and family what to expect.

Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth a form of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

CMT is not related to MS, which affects the central nervous system. CMT affects the peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord), which run from the spinal cord out to the hands and feet.

What is the expected outcome?

There are many types of CMT, and it is a little hard to predict outcome without knowing the type. Problems, once diagnosed, are lifelong and sometimes progressive. Weakness and sensory problems in feet and hands can get worse over time. Children with CMT may have hip problems and scoliosis (curvature of the back); however, the heart, lung, and brain are not affected in this condition. Life expectancy is not affected.

Will anyone else in the family get CMT?

Other family members may have CMT. When the first child gets diagnosed, other family members may be tested depending on symptoms.

Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) curable?

There is no cure for CMT to make it go away, but there are treatments that ease the symptoms.

Is CMT painful?

CMT can cause pain, especially in the feet, which is usually managed by physical therapy, orthotics, massage, heat, and similar measures. Occasionally, some inividuals with CMT may benefit from a medication that alters pain signaling in the brain such as gabapentin.

What is the treatment?

Treatment for CMT is symptomatic. Doctors will work to help with symptoms, such as difficulty with walking, with physical therapy, orthotics, and other interventions.

How will my family’s life be changed?

CMT is a chronic condition and the child may have ongoing challenges with walking and sometimes fine motor abilities such as handwriting.

What advice can other parents with children with CMT give me?

Information and support from other families with children with CMT may be very helpful – see the links below.

Resources

Information & Support

Related Portal Content
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy)
Assessment and management information for the primary care clinician caring for the child with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.
Care Notebook
Medical information in one place with fillable templates to help both families and providers. Choose only the pages needed to keep track of the current health care summary, care team, care plan, health coverage, expenses, scheduling, and legal documents. Available in English and Spanish.

For Parents and Patients

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association
A nonprofit organization focused on research into treatments for CMT and information for patients and families.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Fact Sheet (NINDS)
Authoritative answers to common questions about Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, including what research is being done and additional sources of information; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

List of MDA Care Centers (MDA)
Provides addresses and phone numbers of MDA Care Centers in each state; Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) covers many conditions including CMT, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy. More information about these conditions, how to register, and clinic locations can be found here.

Studies

Clinical Trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (clinicaltrials.gov)
Studies looking at better understanding, diagnosing, and treating this condition; from the National Library of Medicine.

Authors & Reviewers

Initial publication: December 2021
Current Authors and Reviewers:
Author: Lynne M. Kerr, MD, PhD