What is the life expectancy of someone with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
CMT isn’t usually life-threatening and rarely affects muscles involved in vital functions like breathing. People with most forms of CMT have a normal life expectancy.
Can you get disability for Charcot-Marie-Tooth?
Obtaining Disability Benefits for Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease. If you have been diagnosed with CMT disease and suffer from symptoms that have prevented you from working for at least a year, you can apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Can you drive with Charcot-Marie-Tooth?
Driving ability and CMT Many CMT patients are able and allowed to drive. But the privilege of earning a driver’s license depends on the physical abilities of the individual patient.
Does Charcot foot qualify for Social Security disability?
Medically Qualifying Under A Disability Listing: CMT is a form of peripheral neuropathy, meaning it affects the nerves and muscles in the arms, legs, hands, and feet. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a standard disability listing for this type of neurological disorder.
Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth fatal?
CMT is not a fatal disease. Most people with it live to a normal age and remain active. In rare cases, it may affect the muscles you need to breathe. Because this can be especially dangerous at night, you may need a nighttime breathing assistive device.
What kind of exercise can someone with Charcot neuropathy do?
Adults with sensory or motor problems in their feet or ankles should not participate in exercises that cause their feet to leave the ground. Recommended activities include: Riding or rowing exercises, such as a stationary bike, tandem bike, recumbent bike, elliptical machine, or rowing machine. Swimming.
What is Charcot Charcot Marie Tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Overview. Charcot (shahr-KOH)-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage. This damage is mostly in your arms and legs (peripheral nerves).
What increases my risk for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is hereditary, so you’re at higher risk of developing the disorder if anyone in your immediate family has had the disease. Other causes of neuropathies, such as diabetes, may cause symptoms similar to or worsen Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Is there a cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)?
There is no cure for CMT, but physical and occupational therapies, braces and other orthopedic devices, and orthopedic surgery can help people cope with the disabling symptoms of the disease. In addition, pain-relief drugs can be prescribed for individuals who have severe nerve pain.
What are the symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth symptoms may vary from person to person, though they usually start in your feet and legs. Over time, the disease may also affect your hands and arms. Symptoms usually first appear in teens and young adults. Common symptoms include: Foot deformities, including a high arch and bent toes (hammer toes)