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Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a group of inherited neurological disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, sensory loss, and foot deformities. It is named after the three physicians who first described it. CMT is characterized by progressive deterioration of the muscles in the lower legs and feet, leading to difficulties with walking, balance, and fine motor skills. Symptoms typically manifest in childhood or adolescence and can vary widely in severity.

A diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can have significant implications for a child’s physical function and quality of life. Common effects may include:

1. Muscle Weakness: Children with CMT often experience weakness in the muscles of their lower legs and feet, leading to difficulties with walking, running, and climbing stairs.

2. Foot Deformities: CMT can cause structural abnormalities in the feet, such as high arches (pes cavus) or hammertoes, which can further impair mobility and balance.

3. Sensory Loss: Damage to the peripheral nerves can result in decreased sensation in the hands and feet, making it challenging to detect temperature, pain, or touch.

4. Motor Skills Development: Children with CMT may struggle with fine motor skills, such as writing, buttoning clothes, or manipulating small objects due to weakness and sensory deficits in the hands.

5. Orthopaedic Complications: Severe cases of CMT may lead to orthopaedic complications, such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine) or joint contractures, which can impact mobility and require surgical intervention.

How Can Neuro Alliance Assist My Child?

Neuro Alliance offers comprehensive support and rehabilitation services to children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, addressing their unique needs and enhancing their quality of life. Here’s how we can assist:

Physiotherapy

Strength and Endurance Training

Our physiotherapists develop individualized exercise programs to improve muscle strength, endurance, and coordination, focusing on the specific needs of children with CMT.

Gait Training

We work on optimizing walking patterns and mobility, utilizing techniques such as gait retraining, orthotic management, and balance exercises to enhance stability and reduce the risk of falls.

Orthotic Prescription

We assess the child’s biomechanics and recommend appropriate orthotic devices, such as ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) or custom-made braces, to support the feet and ankles and improve gait efficiency.

Pain Management

Our physiotherapy interventions may include pain-relieving modalities, manual therapy techniques, and ergonomic advice to alleviate discomfort associated with muscle weakness and orthopaedic issues.

Occupational Therapy

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training

Our occupational therapists focus on developing adaptive strategies and techniques to facilitate independence in self-care tasks, such as dressing, grooming, and meal preparation.

Hand Function Enhancement

We provide interventions to improve hand strength, dexterity, and coordination, enabling children to perform fine motor activities more effectively despite hand weakness and sensory deficits.

Environmental Modifications

We collaborate with families to make modifications to the home environment, such as installing handrails, adaptive equipment, or ergonomic tools, to promote safety and accessibility.

School and Social Participation

Our team supports children in navigating school and social environments, providing strategies to overcome challenges and maximize participation in academic, recreational, and social activities.

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