Hospital for Special Care Earns CMTA Center of Excellence Recognition
December 17, 2018The Charles H. Kaman Foundation Neuromuscular Center at Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) has earned recognition from the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA) as a Center of Excellence in treating Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT), a disease of the peripheral nerves that control muscles. CMT affects more than 2.8 million people worldwide and is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy.
“Earning the designation of CMTA Center of Excellence lets CMT patients know that they will be seen and treated by true CMT-trained specialists,” said Laurel Richardson, Director of Community Outreach at CMTA. “This multi-disciplinary team of doctors and clinicians at HFSC in neurology, physical medicine, physical and occupational therapy, genetic counseling, bracing and orthotics regularly sees patients with CMT. These experts know the disease and how best to provide diagnosis and therapeutic treatment options.”
“We provide care for 200 patients with CMT each year and have developed extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating the weakness and sensory loss that are associated with the condition,” said Dr. Kevin Felice, Chief of Neuromuscular Medicine at HFSC. “Lower leg weakness and foot deformities, as well as sensory loss, may signal CMT or another form of neuropathy. A thorough neurological exam and, electromyography, or EMG, and genetic testing help us ensure an accurate diagnosis and allow us to develop a customized treatment plan through our multidisciplinary care program. We are also active in clinical trials for CMT and other neuromuscular disorders”
“Recognition as a Center of Excellence by CMTA reflects the commitment to quality and patient-centered approaches to care Dr. Felice and the entire neuromuscular team embrace,” said J. Kevin Shushtari, MD, HFSC Chief Medical Officer.
Treatment for CMT can include exercise, physical, occupational and speech therapy, breathing and pulmonary care and assistance with orthotics, braces and other assistive technology. “At HFSC, we’re able to bring the entire care team to the patient to support the individual and his or her family as they adjust to the changes CMT can bring,” said Felice. “CMT progresses slowly but can lead to difficulty with the use of the hands for tasks that require manual dexterity and or with the feet and gait that create problems walking. Maintaining muscle strength, endurance and flexibility are important to preserving mobility and function.”
About the Charles H. Kaman Foundation Neuromuscular Center at Hospital for Special Care
The Charles H. Kaman Foundation Neuromuscular Center at Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) provides comprehensive care to more than 2000 patient’s each year including those affected with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and other neuromuscular disorders. The Center also provides comprehensive evaluations and care to patients with Parkinson’s disease in other movement disorders. The Center is recognized as a Center of Excellence (COE) by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA), Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF), and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA). The Electromyography (EMG) Lab at HFSC is accredited with exemplary status by the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM).
About CMTA
The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for CMT. The CMTA’s Strategy To Accelerate Research (STAR) program brings top researchers together with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. The CMTA also offers community services including 70 branches, Camp Footprint (the only camp in the US just for teens with CMT), Centers of Excellence, patient and family conferences and online forums.