Treatment

There's no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. But the disease generally progresses slowly, and it doesn't affect expected life span.

There are some treatments to help you manage Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Medications

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease may sometimes cause pain due to muscle cramps or nerve damage. If pain is an issue for you, prescription pain medication may help control your pain.

Therapy

• Physical therapy. Physical therapy can help strengthen and stretch your muscles to prevent muscle tightening and loss. A program usually includes low-impact exercises and stretching techniques guided by a trained physical therapist and approved by your doctor. Started early and followed regularly, physical therapy can help prevent disability.
• Occupational therapy. Weakness in the arms and hands can cause difficulty with gripping and finger movements, such as fastening buttons or writing. Occupational therapy can help through the use of assistive devices, such as special rubber grips on doorknobs, or clothing with snaps instead of buttons.

• Orthopedic devices. Many people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease require the help of certain orthopedic devices to maintain everyday mobility and to prevent injury. Leg and ankle braces or splints can provide stability while walking and climbing stairs.

  Consider boots or high-top shoes for additional ankle support. Custom-made shoes or shoe inserts may improve your gait. Consider thumb splints if you have hand weakness and difficulty with gripping and holding things.

Surgery

If foot deformities are severe, corrective foot surgery may help alleviate pain and improve your ability to walk. Surgery can't improve weakness or loss of sensation.

Potential future treatments

Researchers are investigating a number of potential therapies that may one day treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Potential therapies include medications, gene therapy and in vitro procedures that may help prevent passing the disease to future generations.