Plantar Pressure Distribution in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy that affects foot morphology and gait patterns, potentially leading to abnormal plantar pressure distribution. This systematic review synthesizes the existing literature examining plantar pressure characteristics in CMT patients.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

Six studies comprising 146 patients were included. Four studies employed dynamic baropodometry, and two used in-shoe pressure sensors to evaluate the main plantar pressure parameters. The findings were consistent across different populations and devices, with a characteristic plantar-pressure profile of marked midfoot off-loading with peripheral overload at the forefoot and rearfoot, often accompanied by a lateralized center-of-pressure path and a prolonged pressure-time exposure. These alterations reflect both structural deformities and impaired neuromuscular control. Interventional studies demonstrated a load redistribution of pressure after corrective surgery, though residual lateral overload often persists.

Conclusions

Plantar pressure mapping seems to be a valuable tool to identify high-pressure zones of the foot in order to personalize orthotic treatment planning, to objectively monitor disease progression, and to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Further longitudinal studies with standardized protocols are needed to confirm these results.