Patient EducationSep | 2 | 2019
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: Symptoms
What are the symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth symptoms can vary from person to person, but they usually first appear in your teenage years and young adulthood. The most common CMT disease symptoms include:
- Trouble with fine motor skills
- Frequent tripping or falling
- Weakness of your foot and lower leg muscles
- Foot deformities, including flat fleet, a high arch, or bent toes (hammer toes)
- High-stepped gait or difficulty lifting your foot while walking (foot drop)
- Numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of feeling in your hands and feet
- Discomfort or pain in your hands and feet
- Breathing difficulties (uncommon)
What are the dangers of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth is not a fatal disease, and most people live to a normal age and remain active. The most common complications of CMT disease include:
- Injuries from falls
- Injuries or infections of the feet that go unnoticed because of lack of pain and temperature sensation
- Breathing difficulties (uncommon)
When do I make an appointment?
Always ask your doctor when you should call them if you have been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. They will likely advise you to contact them if you have:
- Any new or worsening symptoms
- Signs of foot injury or infection
- Trouble breathing