Causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (atrophy of the peroneal muscle)

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Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as atrophy of the peroneal muscle, is an inherited peripheral nerve disorder that causes the muscles in the legs, hands, and feet to gradually weaken, reduce movement, and lose sensation. So what causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?

1. What is Charcot - Marie - Tooth disease?

Charcot - Marie - Tooth disease is a group of peripheral nerve disorders. Peripheral nerves control sensory movement of the extremities, so peripheral nerve disorders will cause muscles in the legs, hands and feet to reduce movement, reduce or lose sensation. Symptoms of the disease depend on the severity of the disease and tend to get worse over time.
The disease usually has no symptoms at birth, but most of the outbreaks occur between the ages of 10 and 20, and some cases appear when the disease is 60 years old.
Male patients are 3 times higher than female patients. The disease affects daily activities but does not cause death and does not reduce life expectancy.

2. Causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth

Charcot Marie Tooth disease is a disease caused by mutations in genes related to the structure and function of the nerves that supply the feet, legs, hands and arms. This mutation causes dysfunction of the nerves, preventing control signals from the brain from reaching certain muscles in the arms or legs. As a result, limbs become weak or unable to function. In addition, because the feedback from the body parts also does not reach the nerve center, the patient often feels numb and does not feel pain or heat or cold.
Risk factors for Charcot - Marie - Tooth disease include: Having a family member with Charcot - Marie - Tooth increases the risk of disease Metabolic disorders such as diabetes

3. Symptoms and telltale signs

Marxist muscular dystrophy does not appear symptoms immediately after birth, patients only detect the disease when symptoms appear. Symptoms usually begin in the legs and feet, gradually affecting the hands and arms. Symptoms include:
Foot deformities such as clubbed toes and high arches are the most common symptoms. Decreased range of motion manifests: muscle weakness and imbalance can make walking difficult, reduced ability to run, weakness in the legs, frequent tripping, awkward or unusual gait Loss of muscle tone , meaning inability to contract muscles from the knee down Bone and muscle pain Decreased sensation of heat, cold, light touch, numbness in hands and feet Foot ulcers take a long time to heal.

4. Treatment

Charcot - Marie - Tooth disease cannot be completely cured. Treatment is mainly physical therapy to help strengthen muscles and increase blood circulation to the extremities. Treatments include:
Strengthening muscle relaxation to prevent muscle strain and atrophy. Low-impact exercises and stretching techniques help delay nerve deterioration and muscle weakness before disability occurs. Use orthopedic devices to help with mobility. Foot and ankle braces provide stability while walking or climbing stairs. In addition, inserts can be used to improve gait, and a thumb brace can be used if there is weakness and difficulty with the hand when grasping and holding objects. Surgery. Foot correction surgery for severe cases can help relieve pain and improve walking ability. But surgery may not be to improve weakness or loss of sensation.

5. Lifestyle and remedies

Daily exercise keeps bones and muscles strong. Sports should be practiced such as cycling and swimming, walking,... In case of unsteadiness, you can walk with a cane to help avoid tripping and falling. Foot care. With foot deformities and loss of sensation, regular foot care is important to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications. Also can soak and moisturize the skin of the feet in cold days Avoid foot infections by trimming toenails regularly to prevent ingrown toenails and infections, Stretch joints regularly to improve or maintain a Wide range of motion of the joints, improve flexibility and coordination. Stretching can also reduce the risk of injury. Follow up with regular appointments to monitor symptoms as well as health status. Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
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