Summary:
Charcot - Marie - Tooth neuropathy (CMT) is a hereditary disease of the
peripheral nervous system. It is usually inherited following the autosomal
dominant pattern. CMT is caused by mutations of specific genes that are
responsible for the structuring of various components of the peripheral nerves.
The prevalence of CMT is 30/100.000.
Clinical presentation: peripheral muscle weakness, atrophy, sensory
disorders, elimination or diminishing of tendon reflexes.
Purpose: To investigate changes in musculosceletal structure, muscle
weakness, changes in stance and gait. Five members of the family were
examined.
Material: it is comprised of three siblings and two sons of the women.
Two gait analysis studies were conducted.
Patients received instructions: foot exercise, physiotherapy, specially modified
shoes and insoles.
Parameters studied were concerning stance (static gait analysis), gait
(dynamic gait analysis) and photographic changes of the sole of the foot
(scanning)
Evaluated data: sole area of contact, mapping of three areas of the sole (front,
middle, rear), areas of increased pressure, step length, gait cadence,
existence of instability, photographic evidence of hyperkeratosis, ulceration
and pressure distribution.
Results: patients presented improvement in gait pain. Older patients
increased their step length and cadence. Use of exercise and special insoles
improved gait, making it more functional.
