Health's Book

Definition

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nerves (those outside the brain and spine).

Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin between mid-childhood and early adulthood. They may include:

* Foot deformity (very high arch to feet)
* Foot drop (inability to hold foot horizontal)
* Loss of lower leg muscle, which leads to skinny calves
* Numbness in the foot or leg
* "Slapping" gait (feet hit the floor hard when walking)
* Weakness of the hips, legs, or feet

Later, similar symptoms may appear in the arms and hands, which may include a claw-like hand deformity.