Is there any surgery or treatments to reduce overly developed calf muscles?

Question

Hi my calf muscles are very large, muscular and disproportionate to my legs. They are always tight whenever i walk or do any exercise. They are not fatty but rather muscular though i avoid any calf muscle workout when possible. My overly developed calf muscles are making me very self conscious and uncomfortable. Please let me know if there is a way to solve this, thank you.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

In the case of severe muscle hypertrophy a portion or entire belly of the gastrocnemius muscle may be removed. Partial paralysis of the muscle belly can be achieved with selective neurectomy (cutting a selective nerve brunch to create muscle atrophy and loss of bulk) but would require larger scar then aesthetically acceptable.Botox or other neuromodulator injection can provide temporary muscle paralysis and bulk loss. Good luck.

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Most commonly, female patients who feel that their calves are too large are most bothered by the bulge of the medial gastrocnemius muscle. The surgical procedure to treat this is a partial excision of this muscle.  However, this procedure does pose risks to some important neuromuscular structures, as well as the possibility of an unattractive scar, unless it is performed endoscopically. Before moving to such an aggressive procedure, we commonly counsel patients to first try injections of Botox to the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles.  If they are not satisfied by the results of this procedure, we will recommend radio frequency treatment of these muscles, which can be performed with tumescent anesthesia, similar to what is used for liposuction.  It is only if patients still request further reduction in the size of their calves, after receiving botox injections and radio frequency treatments, that surgical excision of the muscle should be considered.

Is there any surgery or treatments to reduce overly developed calf muscles?

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Is there any surgery or treatments to reduce overly developed calf muscles?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Calf Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.