peroneal muscular atrophy

peroneal muscular atrophy

n.

A hereditary form of muscular atrophy characterized by progressive wasting of the distal muscles of the extremities, usually affecting the legs before the arms. Also called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

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peroneal muscular atrophy,

symmetric weakening or atrophy of the foot and the ankle muscles and hammer toes. This disease is a dominantly inherited condition that occurs in a hypertrophic neuropathy form or in a neuronal form. The hypertrophic neuropathy form results in demyelination of nerve fibers and characteristic onion bulb formations. Affected individuals usually have high plantar arches and an awkward gait caused by weak ankle muscles. In the neuronal form this condition usually starts in the second decade of life and causes muscle weaknesses similar to those associated with the hypertrophic neuronal form. Both forms of the disease may also involve mild sensory loss in the lower limbs. Affected individuals may be helped by corrective surgery and leg braces that stabilize weak ankle joints.