An occasional stumble, stubbed toe or twisted ankle is hardly unusual. But when tripping becomes frequent—and is accompanied by weakness, numbness, balance problems or changes in the shape of the feet—doctors say it may be worth looking beyond ordinary “clumsiness.”
One possible explanation is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a group of inherited neurological disorders that progressively damage the peripheral nerves responsible for controlling muscles and carrying sensory information between the brain, spinal cord and limbs.
The condition is uncommon and can be difficult to recognise because its symptoms often develop gradually. Some people may spend years believing they are simply uncoordinated or less athletic than others before receiving a diagnosis.
When “clumsiness” may be something more
According to neurologists quoted by CNA Lifestyle, occasional trips or ankle sprains are generally not cause for alarm. What makes CMT different is a persistent and progressive pattern.
Warning signs can include:
- Repeated tripping or falling
- Difficulty lifting the front of the foot, known as foot drop
- Weakness in the feet, ankles or lower legs
- Numbness or reduced sensation in the feet or hands
- Problems with balance or walking
- High arches or other foot deformities
- Gradual muscle wasting in the legs
- Weakness in the hands that makes fine movements—such as buttoning clothes—more difficult
The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) similarly lists foot drop, frequent tripping, balance difficulties, sensory loss, muscle weakness and foot deformities among possible manifestations of CMT.
That does not mean every person with these symptoms has CMT. Diabetes, spinal disorders, other peripheral nerve conditions and orthopaedic problems can produce similar symptoms.
What exactly is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Despite its name, CMT is not a disease of the teeth. It was named after three physicians—Jean-Martin Charcot, Pierre Marie and Howard Henry Tooth—who described the condition in the 19th century.
CMT is actually an umbrella term for a large number of inherited disorders affecting peripheral nerves. More than 100 genes have been associated with different forms of the disease.
The genetic changes can damage either the nerve fibres themselves, the protective myelin sheath surrounding them, or both. As nerve signals become less effective, muscles can gradually weaken and sensation can diminish.
It can begin in childhood—or much later
CMT is often associated with adolescence or early adulthood, but there is no single age at which symptoms must appear.
The NHS notes that symptoms commonly emerge between ages 5 and 15, although they can sometimes develop much later. Mayo Clinic likewise reports that symptoms may begin during childhood, the teenage years, early adulthood or even midlife.
This wide range is one reason the disorder can remain undiagnosed.
A person with a mild form may adapt unconsciously to changes in their walking pattern, while someone with a more severe subtype may develop noticeable weakness and deformities earlier.
Even members of the same family carrying the same genetic disorder can experience very different levels of disability.
You don’t necessarily need to have an affected parent
Because CMT is genetic, family history can be an important clue—but its absence does not rule it out.
Different CMT subtypes can follow different inheritance patterns, including autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance.
Some cases can also result from a new genetic mutation, meaning there may be no previously diagnosed family member.
For this reason, genetic counselling and genetic testing can play an important role when doctors suspect CMT, particularly when discussing the potential risk to children.
How doctors diagnose CMT
There is no single symptom that confirms CMT.
Doctors typically begin with a medical and family history and a neurological examination. Depending on the circumstances, testing may include:
Nerve conduction studies: These assess how quickly and effectively electrical signals travel through nerves.
Electromyography (EMG): This can help evaluate the electrical activity of muscles and identify patterns consistent with nerve damage.
Genetic testing: This can identify disease-causing genetic variants and help determine the specific CMT subtype.
A neurologist may also assess muscle strength, reflexes, sensation, gait and the structure of the feet.
There is currently no cure—but treatment can make a difference
CMT is generally a lifelong, progressive condition, and there is currently no cure for most forms.
That does not mean there is nothing doctors can do.
Treatment is generally aimed at preserving mobility, maintaining strength and flexibility, preventing complications and helping people remain independent.
Depending on the individual, management can include:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Ankle-foot orthoses and other braces
- Walking aids
- Orthopaedic treatment or surgery for significant deformities
- Pain management when necessary
- Regular monitoring of mobility and function
The NHS and NINDS both emphasise supportive therapies and rehabilitation as important components of CMT management.
The research picture is changing
While there is no established cure, CMT research is increasingly focused on treatments that target the underlying genetic and biological mechanisms of individual subtypes.
In May 2026, researchers reported encouraging results from a gene-replacement study for CMT4C in mice, using an AAV9-based approach designed to deliver the SH3TC2 gene. The treated animals showed improvements in measures including grip strength and nerve conduction. Importantly, however, this was a preclinical animal study, not evidence that the therapy is currently a treatment for people with CMT4C.
Another 2026 study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reported proof-of-concept results for a gene-therapy strategy targeting CMT2A in mouse models and laboratory-grown motor neurons. The researchers reported preservation of neuromuscular function even when treatment was delivered after symptoms had begun. Again, the findings are experimental and do not establish a human treatment.
Meanwhile, the CMT Research Foundation reported in July 2026 that an investigational antisense oligonucleotide therapy for CMT2S received FDA Rare Pediatric Disease designation. Such regulatory designations can support development, but they do not mean a treatment has been approved as a cure or proven effective.
So, when should frequent tripping be checked?
The important distinction is pattern and progression.
Someone who occasionally trips while running, playing sports or navigating uneven ground is not automatically showing signs of CMT.
But repeated falls or ankle sprains that occur alongside gradually worsening weakness, numbness, foot drop, balance problems, high arches or hand weakness deserve medical attention.
A particularly important clue is when the problem appears to be getting worse over time rather than remaining an occasional nuisance.
CMT is rare, and these symptoms can have many other explanations. The purpose of recognising the pattern is not to self-diagnose—but to know when a conversation with a doctor or neurologist may be appropriate.
The bigger picture
What looks like ordinary clumsiness can sometimes be the first visible clue to a neurological disorder that has been developing quietly for years.
For people eventually diagnosed with CMT, early recognition can help doctors and rehabilitation specialists address mobility, strength, foot problems and other complications sooner.
And while there is still no broadly available cure, advances in genetic and molecular research are raising the possibility of more targeted treatments for specific forms of the disease in the future.
The next time someone repeatedly trips, loses their balance or struggles to lift a foot, the question may not simply be “Why am I so clumsy?”—it may be whether something deeper is affecting the nerves.
WWC ONE MEDIA MJE
Leave a Reply