Footdrop, foot rotation, and plantarflexor failure in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency of occurrence of the main causes of poor stance and gait in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (footdrop graded as mild or severe, rotation, and plantarflexor failure) both as single and associated problems.


METHODS
Observational.


METHODS
A neuromuscular disorders department in a specialized Italian rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-six nonoperated lower limbs from 64 outpatients.


METHODS
Ankle angle during active dorsiflexion and heel angle in stance were measured in a photograph; the ability to raise the heel at least 2cm was evaluated.


METHODS
Frequency of mild footdrop (ankle angle < or =100 degrees ), severe footdrop (ankle angle >100 degrees ), and rotation and plantarflexor failure singularly and in association.


RESULTS
Mild footdrop was present in 47.6% of examined limbs and was associated with rotation in 39.7% of limbs; severe footdrop was present in 52.4% of limbs and was associated with rotation in 28.6% of limbs, with rotation plus plantarflexor failure in 21.4% of limbs.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend categorizing problems in the lower limbs into 4 levels of increasing symptom severity, starting with mild footdrop and graduating to the instance where the 3 problems are associated.
Vinci
Paolo
P
Department of Rehabilitation of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and Other Neuromuscular Disorders, Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital L. Spolverini, Via Castelli Romani 6, 00040 Rocca di Papa, Ariccia, Italy. paolovinci@libero.it
Perelli
Sandra L
SL
D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*