Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT)

What is Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) Disease?

Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage. It is also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy.

CMT generally causes damage to the peripheral nerves in the arms and legs. It can result in muscle weakness, loss of sensation, difficulty walking, and foot deformities.

What Are the Symptoms of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease?

Symptoms vary based on the individual. As the disease progresses, they may spread from the legs and feet to the arms and hands. The most common symptoms include:

Weakness in legs, ankles, and feet
Loss of muscle bulk in legs and feet
High foot arches
Hammertoes – curled toes
Decreased ability to run
Footdrop – difficulty lifting foot at the ankle
Higher than normal step
Frequent tripping or falling
Loss of feeling in legs and feet

What Causes Charcot Marie Tooth Disease?

CMT is a genetic condition. It is caused by mutations in the genes that affect the peripheral nerves. Because it is hereditary, you have a higher risk of developing the disease if someone in your immediate family has it.

UR Medicine's Treatments for Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT)

Beyond CMT, our Inherited Neuropathy Clinic at UR Medicine provides multidisciplinary care and opportunities for participation in research for children, adults, and families. We offer treatment for CMT and other forms of Inherited Neuropathy, including TTR Amyloid Polyneuropathy.

We focus on all aspects of disease including:

Genetic confirmation
Genetic and family counseling
Gene therapy
CMT and other inherited neuropathies
Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy
Access to research and clinical trials
Orthotics

Cutting Edge Care with a Personal Touch

"Being involved in Dr. Herrmann’s research studies is very important to me, as my father had CMT, my son has it, and I have several other family members who are also diagnosed with this disease like me. I really love all the staff in the clinic and find that they are always willing to listen to me. They are very attentive to my needs and always just a phone call away to answer my questions."

What Sets Us Apart?

Our mission is to provide excellent, specialized, multidisciplinary clinical care for patients and families with CMT and other forms of Inherited Neuropathy.

We work to improve the quality of life of our patients by providing a team of experts in different specialties needed to best care for Inherited Neuropathies, a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and coordinated care that is highly accessible for families.

We focus on all aspects of disease including diagnosis with genetic confirmation, genetic and family counseling, prevention and management of secondary symptoms and complications, access to clinical research studies and treatment trials and coordination of care with schools and other providers.

Our Team

Jordan Bontrager, MS, CGC
Certified Genetics Counselor
Brooke McAdam, PT
Physical Therapist
Katy Eichinger, PhD, DPT
Physical Therapist and Clinical Evaluator for Clinical Trials

Be Part of New Discoveries

"My son and I started experiencing the same symptoms, and we decided to venture several hours from our home to University of Rochester Medical Center and see Dr. Herrmann. Dr. Herrmann’s expertise and dedication to his research led him to identify a mutation in a gene that was never before associated with CMT. Without Dr. Herrmann and the CMT clinic, I may have never been diagnosed properly; I can’t thank them enough for all their service to myself, my family, and others."

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