As nerve damage affects the muscles, some muscles can become smaller and weaker.
This may produce a distinctive appearance in the lower legs, sometimes described as a “stork leg” or an inverted champagne-bottle shape because the calves become noticeably thinner while the upper portions of the legs remain relatively larger.
Muscle wasting is an important clinical finding, but it can also occur with other neurological or muscular conditions.
5. Curled or Hammer Toes
Another possible sign is a change in the position of the toes.
Weakness and muscle imbalance can cause the toes to become curled or develop a hammer-toe appearance. This can eventually make shoes uncomfortable and may contribute to pressure points, calluses, or foot pain.
Foot deformities can range from mild to severe, and not every person with CMT develops the same changes.
6. Frequent Tripping and Poor Balance
A person with CMT may begin tripping more often than usual.
This can happen because of a combination of:
- Weak ankle muscles
- Foot drop
- Reduced sensation in the feet
- Changes in foot structure
- Difficulty controlling foot position
In children, unusual clumsiness or being particularly accident-prone can sometimes be an early clue.
However, frequent falls are common for many reasons, so they should not automatically be attributed to CMT.
7. Reduced Sensation in the Feet or Hands
CMT can affect sensory nerves as well as motor nerves.
A person may notice reduced ability to feel:
- Touch
- Vibration
- Temperature
- Pain
- The position of the feet or joints
Reduced sensation can make injuries harder to notice. For this reason, people with diagnosed CMT may need to pay particular attention to their feet and footwear.
8. Weakness in the Hands
Although CMT often begins in the legs and feet, the hands and arms can become affected as the condition progresses.
A person may experience difficulty with tasks requiring fine motor control, such as:
- Buttoning clothes
- Opening jars
- Turning small objects
- Writing
- Using tools
- Handling small items
The degree of hand weakness varies widely between individuals.
9. Loss of Muscle Mass in the Hands
See more on the next page
