Exploring the Impact of Radial Shock Wave Therapy on a Persistent Foot Ulcer in a Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Patient: A Detailed Case Study

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD) is a group of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies with a prevalence of approximately 1 per 2,500 individuals. The most common feature of this disease is muscle weakness and impaired sensation in the extremities. However, this disease group, which includes various heterogeneous diseases, can present in different ways, such as foot infections and ulcers.

In this case report study, we discuss an 18-year-old female patient who was referred to us with a non-healing ulcer on the plantar surface of her right foot. She was diagnosed with CMTD based on her history of sensory and motor symptoms, as well as the results of electromyography. After five sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), her ulcer healed successfully.

In addition to the importance of considering patient symptoms for the diagnosis of CMTD, this case demonstrates the effectiveness of ESWT in promoting wound healing for a non-healing ulcer within a CMTD context. Further research is necessary to validate this treatment as a standard of care for such patients.