My Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi there all,

I'm 51 years old, 6'9 " and live in San Diego, CA. I've had neuropathy in my

feet for about 12 years, and assumed it had something to do with my size and

lower back problems. Four years ago I was becoming crippled with tendonitis

in my knees and began yoga stretching. The tendonitis went away, the back

spasms ceased, but the neuropathy continued.

Nine months ago my left foot collapsed and I was diagnosed with a Charcot

joint. That was accompanied by blood infection and an abscess. The ortho

surgeon that cleaned out the wound gave me a visual diagnosis of CMT, based

on my good foot with a high arch, hammer toes, and neuropathy.

Turns out the CMT runs in my mother's family, though I'm the first to be

diagnosed. For many in the family, the symptoms were masked by other

diseases, such as diabetes, or some of the younger cousins just haven't had

an onset of anything yet. I recently had an EMG done and I've got type 2

CMT.

In september I had surgery to repair the Charcot joint. The surgeon replaced

the broken bones in my mid-foot with grafts (cadaver bones) and fused it all

together. It was healing nicely and for about three weeks I was able to walk

without pain for the first time in about two years. Unfortuately the grafted

bone broke at a screw connection and I'm again non-wieght bearing on my left

foot. I see the surgeon this week to discuss the next step in the healing

process, be it let things heal or perform more surgery.

It was interesting for me to read the CMT discussion forums and find other

people who've had similar experiences to mine. I look forward to learning

more and hopefully being able to use the information in managing my future.

O

[Guest guest]

Hi Amelia,

Your daughter sounds like she has great parents that will make sure she is taken

care of I am sure she will have as normal a life as possible for someone with

CMT if she has it.