Neuromuscular Diseases are first detected mostly with weakness of muscles, like a dropfoot. The diseases may be apparent at birth or not develop until later in life. The disease process may be subtle or grossly apparent with a change in the gait pattern. Some start slow and progress over time, where others appear very rapidly and progress fast.

Each neuromuscular disease has differing symptoms, causes, and treatments. Some of the more common neuromuscular diseases that effect the feet are:

Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease

Dejerine-Sottas Disease

Roussy-Levy Disease

Refsum’s Disease

Friedrich’s Ataxia

Muscular Dystrophy

Poliomyelitis

Myelodysplasias (spina bifida and other spinal developmental deformities)

Cerebral Palsy