People with CMT may see a range of specialists depending on their symptoms and care needs. Below is an overview of the medical fields most commonly involved in CMT-related surgical and clinical care.

Anesthesiologist

Board-certified in anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists provide pain relief and maintain stable conditions during and immediately after an operation, obstetric procedure, or diagnostic procedure. They assess surgical risk, optimize the patient’s condition before and after surgery, diagnose and treat acute and chronic pain, care for critically ill patients, and direct resuscitation in cardiac or respiratory emergencies. They also supervise and teach others involved in anesthesia and intensive care.

Hand Surgeon

Subspecialty-certified by the Board of Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, or General Surgery. Hand surgeons focus on the diagnosis, preservation, and restoration of all structures directly affecting the hand and wrist through medical, surgical, and rehabilitative means.

Neurologist

Board-certified by the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Neurologists diagnose and treat all categories of disease or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and nervous system, as well as the blood vessels that relate to those structures. The neurologist often serves as a primary physician and as a consultant to other physicians, performing and interpreting tests related to the nervous system or muscles.

Neuropathologist

Subspecialty-certified by the Board of Pathology. Neuropathologists are experts in diagnosing diseases of the nervous system and skeletal muscles, functioning primarily as consultants to neurologists and neurosurgeons.

Neuroradiologist

Subspecialty-certified by the Board of Radiology. Neuroradiologists are trained in both imaging and interventional procedures to identify and treat disorders of the brain, spine and spinal cord, head, neck, and sense organs in adults and children.

Neurosurgeon

Board-certified by the Board of Neurological Surgery. Neurosurgeons provide surgical and non-surgical management of disorders of the nervous system, including prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, and rehabilitation. They also manage conditions that modify the function of the nervous system and treat pain through surgical and non-surgical means.

Neurophysiologic Psychiatrist

Subspecialty-certified by the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. These specialists are trained in the diagnosis and management of central and peripheral nervous system disorders using electrophysiological techniques (measurement of the body’s electrical activity).

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Pediatrician

Subspecialty-certified by the Boards of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Neurology. These physicians treat children with developmental delays, learning disorders, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, and other chronic neurologic conditions. They provide medical consultation, assume leadership in interdisciplinary care, and focus on early identification of neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants and young children.

Pain Management Physician

Interdisciplinary subspecialty-certified by the Boards of Anesthesiology, Psychiatry and Neurology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Pain management physicians provide a high level of care for patients with acute or chronic pain in inpatient and outpatient settings, coordinating a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor

Board-certified by the Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (also called a rehabilitation doctor or physiatrist). These physicians diagnose, evaluate, and treat patients with impairments or disabilities involving musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, or other body systems, with a primary focus on restoring function and alleviating pain.

Surgeon

Board-certified by the Board of Surgery. General surgeons manage a wide range of surgical conditions affecting almost any area of the body, providing diagnosis and care before, during, and after surgery. They carry special knowledge of birth defects, tumors, infections, and metabolic problems relating to the head, neck, breast, abdomen, extremities, and major organ systems.

Podiatrist

Podiatrists are health professionals who diagnose and treat medical and surgical problems of the feet and ankles, including conditions such as plantar fasciitis and hammer toes, as well as reconstructive procedures. They provide ongoing care for people with foot problems caused by CMT.