Patient's question:
I accidentally broke my leg while playing basketball a few days ago and then went to the orthopedic hospital in the county to get a cast. The doctor said that after I fully recover, there might be mild muscle atrophy in my leg. I'm a bit worried. What are the symptoms or manifestations of leg muscle atrophy?Doctor's answer:
If self-examination reveals leg muscle atrophy, you can compare the corresponding leg muscles on both sides to observe how the affected side becomes thinner than the healthy side. Upon touch, the affected leg muscle may feel softer than the healthy side. If the muscle atrophy is severe, you may experience weakness during movement. If it's mild, you generally won't notice any significant difference. This condition can be completely restored through self-exercise, such as consciously reducing muscle contraction.