I have nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Can I get a calf implant?

Question

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! It is difficult to know the correct plan without examining you myself and understanding the extent to your nerve damage. For many patients, calf implants are a great way to instantly increase lower leg volume. Make sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Please keep in mind that a physical exam is always first necessary before providing any final surgical recommendations. Depending upon the physical exam and the patient’s goals, inner and/or outer calf implants may be necessary to best balance out the leg shape and symmetry. Commonly both women and men patients aesthetically benefit the most from having both inner and outer implants placed. Permanent nerve damage with muscle atrophy is indeed one of many medical indications for this surgery.

Very few plastic surgeons specialize in this operation so you may have to travel a long distance to one that does. The implants are made of soft semi-solid silicone rubber and placed surgically through a small (3/4 inch) incision in a natural crease behind the knee. When the implants are properly sized and placed under the muscle fascia, they should blend in and look natural.

Omar Tillo, MD, MS, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

This is a very good question but in order to answer it more information is needed regarding the cause of nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Is it because of trauma, congenital or hereditary? is it stable or progressing? is it affecting one or both legs and does it affect you activities and mobility. 
Calf augmentation with implants is a good solution to cosmetically correct muscle atrophy caused by many neurological problems such as spina bifida, club foot, trauma and few others. I've done many of these using standard and custom-made implants and patients are usually very happy with the outcome. 
However, you need to be very cautious in assessing the risks and benefits in some cases when you have a borderline or limited mobility. Surgery can affect the limb function. Sometimes recovery of mobility can't be 100% to the level of function before surgery. If a patient has a borderline motor function and just about manages to cope, surgery can tip the balance and render them permanently imobile or disabled. Therefore it is very important that your plastic surgeon has the experience dealing with these cases, he/she knows your condition very well, and seeks the opinion of the doctor treating your leg condition (neurologist, neurosurgeon, or orthopaedic)

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Muscle atrophy of one or both heads of the gastrocnemius muscle is one indication for calf implant augmentation.  More information as to the source of your nerve damage and muscle atrophy would be needed but I am assuming that the nerve damage is stable and is the source of the muscle atrophy. Some pictures of the involved leg and a history of the cause would be needed for a qualified answer.

I have nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Can I get a calf implant?

Answers (4)

Answer: Calf Implants for Muscle Atrophy

Answer: Calf Implants for Muscle Atrophy

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Calf Implant

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

I have nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Can I get a calf implant?

Answers (4)

Answer: Calf Implants for Muscle Atrophy

Answer: Calf Implants for Muscle Atrophy

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Calf Implant

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