CMT in the news again, big time!!

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From the newspapers:

No treatment

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease may end Sixer center's career

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/02/24/macculloch_out_ap/

Posted: Monday February 24, 2003 5:02 PM

Updated: Monday February 24, 2003 6:02 PM

MacCulloch helped the Nets get to last year's Finals before being traded in

the offseason. D. Bernstein/NBAE/

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Diagnosed with a disease that weakens his legs and

disrupts his balance, Todd MacCulloch could be done playing basketball.

The Philadelphia 76ers' center underwent additional tests Monday at

Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Team spokesman Wallace said

the 76ers wouldn't immediately discuss the results.

Medical experts said Monday it's unlikely MacCulloch will be able to continue

playing with a genetic disorder known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. [The

disease is named after three doctors who first diagnosed it in 1886.]

In most cases, doctors said, patients lose normal use of their feet and legs

slowly as their nerves stop working properly and their muscles deteriorate.

" It's a progressive disease, and at this time there is no treatment, " said

Dr. , a professor of clinical neurology at Tulane. " Sometimes

surgery can help, but I don't believe you can play basketball once you have

these types of problems in your feet and your hands. "

At a news conference Sunday, MacCulloch tried to sound upbeat but choked back

tears as he talked about making basketball " secondary. "

" It's been really difficult for me, " the 27-year-old center said. " I feel

I've had kind of a charmed life, a blessed life. ... I was just kind of

wondering when things weren't going to go so well. "

MacCulloch's agent, Goodwin, did not immediately return a call Monday.

The disease is hereditary. MacCulloch said his mother also suffers from poor

balance and leg soreness, but has never been diagnosed with the syndrome.

Doctors said if the diagnosis is accurate, MacCulloch's symptoms won't

improve and will only worsen.

" The likelihood of him returning would be low, " said Dr. Bird, an

associate professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. " An

athlete who has already had to miss games because of the onset of symptoms

might able to play for a bit while longer, but not at the same level. "

About 150,000 Americans have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, doctors said.

MacCulloch has missed 16 games this season. He has averaged 7.1 points and

4.7 rebounds in just over 19 minutes.

The discomfort in his feet dates from late last season, when MacCulloch

missed 20 games with the New Jersey Nets. The 76ers acquired MacCulloch and

Van Horn in the offseason for Dikembe Mutombo.

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Kathleen

Seattle WA USA

http://www.icewindow.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/2003 11:02:46 AM Pacific Standard Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

>

>

> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/02/24/macculloch_out_ap/

>

I really hate to be like this but I am excited that someone in the public eye

has CMT. Maybe now when I say CMT people will respond with " Oh That " instead

of " Whats That!? " I feel very bad for Todd. I can't even express how bad I

feel. I know we have all felt his pain.

jenny