CMT occurs slightly more often in men than in women and is not prevalent in any one race. Signs of the disease usually appear before the age of 30. Top Cause CMT is caused by an inherited genetic mutation. There are rare cases in which the mutation occurs spontaneously within one egg or sperm. Symptoms Symptoms vary from mild to severe, from patient to patient, and even among family members with the disease.
Symptoms are more severe in cases of early age of onset.
The first indications of CMT are mild, usually foot and ankle weakness, and fatigue. Weakness in the hands also may be present. When the muscles of the foot weaken, an imbalance develops that typically raises the arch of the foot. This increases tension in the muscles on the bottom of the foot and worsens the curling of the toes. A change in gait is another common sign.