Is Nerve Block Procedure in Calves Safe?

Question

In Korea, there is a new procedure where they block certain nerves in your calf muscle to make your claves smaller. Is this safe?

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Any "new" procedure should be evaluated in a scientific setting to determine the risks, benefits, efficacy, and discussed with the medical science community before being widely adopted.  Unfortunately, not every country has such a process, and the laboratory is the clinic who wants to "try something new" .  Discoveries are made, and this may prove to be a great benefit, cosmetically, but without science and research, caution is always urged.  I hope this helps!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Muscles atrophy (get smaller) when not used. A large calf placed in a cast for three months will atrophy substantially. Using nerve block or Botox or direct nerve damage will result in wasting of the muscle which will also effect funtion.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

By blocking the nerve nerves to the calf muscles, they may atrophy and therefore look smaller. The calf has 2 main muscles in back so if one muscle is treated, the other muscle will still maintain functional. There aren't any long term studies on this regarding safety. Keep in mind, using Botox to block such a large muscle is costly and will need to be repeated 3 to 4 times per a year.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

The technique for calf reduction to which you refer is based on muscle atrophy. It is commonly done in Korea where larger calfs are the norm although not aesthetically desired. There are two technique for creating calf muscle atrophy. One method is where they find and cut one of the motor nerves to the muscle. Without receiving any nerve input to the muscle a portion of it shrinks. The other method is the use of Botox injections into the calfs. By weakening a portion of it, some muscle reduction occurs. Repeated injections over time are required to get the most muscle shrinking.

Is Nerve Block Procedure in Calves Safe?

Answers (4)

More Calf Reduction Questions

What is the Best Way of Fat Removal for Ankles and Calves?

What is the downtime like after calf liposuction?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (4)

More Calf Reduction Questions

What is the Best Way of Fat Removal for Ankles and Calves?

What is the downtime like after calf liposuction?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS