Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, standing, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries — acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn’t resolve
Foot & Ankle · Conditions A–Z
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease cavovarus foot deformity
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited nerve disorder that weakens the muscles of the lower legs and feet, gradually producing high arches, clawed toes, and ankle instability. The disease itself is managed by neurology; at LAOSS we treat the foot and ankle deformities it causes, with same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
Live · Now Accepting
Experts in foot & ankle care.
Surgical and non-surgical options at LAOSS.
15+
Years caring
Same-day appointments
Often available
★★★★★
4.9 · 7,500+ reviews
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is a hereditary neuropathy managed by neurology — at LAOSS we treat the foot deformities it causes, such as cavovarus foot, claw toes, drop foot, and ankle instability.
- Most patients start with conservative care: custom bracing or AFOs, orthotics, accommodative footwear, and physical therapy coordinated with your in-network provider.
- When deformity becomes rigid, painful, or unstable, reconstructive surgery — tendon transfers, osteotomies, and selective fusions — can rebalance the foot.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles–area locations.
Overview
What is charcot-marie-tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most common inherited neurologic disorders. It slowly damages the peripheral nerves that supply the lower legs and feet, leaving some muscles weak while others stay relatively strong. That imbalance is what reshapes the foot over time — pulling it into a high-arched, inward-turning (cavovarus) position, curling the toes into claws, and weakening the muscles that lift the foot, which can cause foot drop.\n\nThe neuropathy itself is diagnosed and managed by neurology, often with genetic testing and nerve studies. At LAOSS we focus on the orthopedic problem CMT creates — the painful pressure points, recurring ankle sprains, and difficulty with shoes and walking. Our role is to keep you stable, comfortable, and on your feet, working alongside your neurologist rather than replacing them.\n\nCare is conservative-first. Bracing, orthotics, supportive footwear, and targeted physical therapy help most patients for years. When the deformity becomes rigid or unstable enough to limit walking, reconstructive surgery can realign and rebalance the foot. Below we walk through the symptoms and causes, how we evaluate the foot, and the full range of treatment options — from the simplest to the most involved.
Anatomy of the foot & ankle — tibia, talus, calcaneus, metatarsals, and the plantar fascia.
Anatomy
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn’t match the way your foot is built.
Self-orient
When charcot-marie-tooth disease shows up.
Symptoms
Common symptoms
- High arches (cavus foot) with a heel that turns inward (cavovarus)
- Clawing or curling of the toes, often with painful calluses
- Frequent ankle sprains and a sense the ankle gives way
- Foot drop — difficulty lifting the front of the foot, causing tripping or a slapping gait
- Pain over the ball, heel, or outer edge of the foot from uneven pressure
- Trouble finding shoes that fit and increasing instability on uneven ground
Causes
Common causes
- An inherited gene change affecting the peripheral nerves (the underlying CMT diagnosis, made by neurology)
- Muscle imbalance — weak foot-lifting and everting muscles against stronger opposing muscles — that pulls the foot into cavovarus
- Progressive nerve damage that reduces sensation and worsens deformity over years
- A family history of high arches, foot deformity, or 'weak ankles'
- Tightening of the calf and plantar structures as the deformity becomes more rigid
Diagnostics
How we diagnose charcot-marie-tooth disease
You want answers, fast — and we’re built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here’s what your initial visit for charcot-marie-tooth disease typically looks like:
- Detailed history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve already tried
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle — range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation with a trusted Greater Los Angeles orthopedic expert today.
Treatment options
How we treat charcot-marie-tooth disease at LAOSS
Once we’ve confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits — and escalate only when it doesn’t.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Custom ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to control foot drop and steady the ankle
- Custom orthotics and accommodative footwear to offload painful pressure points
- Physical therapy for stretching, balance, and strengthening, coordinated with your in-network provider
- Bracing and activity guidance to reduce recurrent ankle sprains
- Padding and professional foot care for claw-toe calluses and corns
- Close coordination with your neurologist on overall CMT management
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Procedures performed by board-certified foot & ankle surgeons when conservative care isn’t enough.
- Tendon transfers (such as posterior tibial tendon transfer) to rebalance weak and strong muscles
- Calcaneal and midfoot osteotomies to realign the high-arched, inward-turning heel
- Plantar fascia release to reduce a tight, rigid arch
- Claw-toe and hammertoe correction to relieve pressure and improve shoe fit
- Selective joint fusion (such as triple arthrodesis) for severe, rigid, or arthritic deformity
- Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction when chronic instability persists
Surgeon expertise
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & Ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise — start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Candidacy
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- You have known or suspected CMT and your feet are turning inward or developing higher arches
- Recurrent ankle sprains or a feeling that your ankle keeps giving way
- Painful calluses or claw toes that make shoes hard to wear
- You trip frequently or your foot 'slaps' the ground (foot drop)
- Bracing or orthotics are no longer keeping you stable and comfortable
Evaluation
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history — onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, an open wound or exposed bone, foot or ankle deformity after trauma, loss of sensation, or any sign of infection (fever, spreading redness, or swelling).
Recovery
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line — but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
01Days 0–14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the foot & ankle, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don’t guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
02Weeks 2–8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the foot & ankle.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
03Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there — and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient — informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Specific
Foot & Ankle-specific considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Your care team
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists combine advanced surgical expertise with a patient-first approach. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reconstruction, fracture care, and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. Trusted across Los Angeles, our team is dedicated to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping you return to the activities you love.
Specialists
Meet your foot & ankle specialists.
4 providers
About this care
Steady, comfortable footing with CMT starts here
Living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth means the ground can feel unpredictable — but you don't have to navigate the foot and ankle side of it alone. At LAOSS, our foot and ankle specialists understand how CMT reshapes the foot over time, and we tailor a plan to where you are right now, from bracing and orthotics through reconstructive surgery when it's needed. We work hand-in-hand with your neurologist so your care stays coordinated.\n\nWith same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations and on-site imaging, you won't wait weeks for answers. Call or schedule online to start with a plan built around keeping you stable, comfortable, and moving.
Patient reviews
What patients say about us.
★★★★★4.97,500+ Google reviews
Wonderful staff. The MA was so kind to my elderly mom and the doctor explained everything twice so she’d remember. Felt like we were treated like family.
Patricia Aguilar
Cerritos, CA · 6 January 2025
FAQ
Common charcot-marie-tooth disease questions
- No — CMT is a hereditary neuropathy diagnosed and managed by neurology, often with genetic testing and nerve studies. At LAOSS we treat the foot and ankle deformities it causes, such as high arches, claw toes, ankle instability, and foot drop, and we coordinate with your neurologist.
- Most patients do well for years with bracing, custom orthotics, supportive footwear, and physical therapy. Surgery is considered when the deformity becomes rigid, painful, or unstable enough to limit walking — and we explain every option before any decision.
- Foot drop is most often managed with a custom ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that lifts the front of the foot and steadies your gait. When weakness is severe and the foot is otherwise correctable, a tendon transfer may be an option to restore some active lift.
- We take a detailed history, examine your foot alignment, flexibility, strength, and ankle stability, and use on-site X-rays to assess the deformity. We coordinate with your neurologist and build a written plan ranging from bracing to surgical reconstruction.
Ready when you are
Don’t wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles–area offices.
Booking now
21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network