Muscle Atrophy and Nerve Issues After Injection

Muscle atrophy in the gluteal region following an injection?

Hello Dr.
Yeh, my symptoms are as follows: About six or seven years ago, I visited the hospital due to a cold and received an injection in my left buttock.
However, I did not massage the area afterward, which led to a depression forming at that site.
Is this muscle atrophy? Does it require treatment? Should I consult a neurologist? Recently, I have also been experiencing a tingling sensation on the outer side of my left thigh, and sometimes there is even a sharp pain.
I have seen a neurologist and undergone tests, but the doctor only prescribed me vitamin E without identifying a specific cause.
I would like to know if the numbness in my leg could be related to the depression in my buttock.
Thank you.

Xiao Ying, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2005/08/23

Dr. Ye Boshou reply Neurology

The occurrence of indentation after a muscle injection may be related to the medication and individual constitution; it is likely due to subcutaneous fat atrophy rather than muscle atrophy.
This is commonly seen in clinical practice and is unrelated to leg numbness, but unfortunately, it may not be treatable with non-pharmacological methods.

Reply Date: 2005/08/23

More Info

Muscle atrophy and nerve issues can indeed be complex and multifaceted, especially in the context of previous injections and subsequent symptoms. Based on your description, it seems you are experiencing a combination of muscle atrophy in the area of the injection and neurological symptoms in your left thigh. Let's break this down further.

Muscle Atrophy
Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or loss of muscle tissue. In your case, the indentation in your left buttock after the injection could be indicative of localized muscle atrophy. This can occur for several reasons, including:
1. Direct Damage: If the injection inadvertently damaged muscle fibers or nerves, it could lead to muscle atrophy in that area.

2. Disuse: If you have been compensating for pain or discomfort by avoiding using that muscle, it could lead to atrophy over time.

3. Nerve Damage: If the injection affected the nerves that innervate the gluteal muscles, this could also result in muscle wasting.

Nerve Issues
The symptoms you describe in your left thigh, such as tingling and occasional sharp pain, suggest that there may be nerve involvement. This could be due to several factors:
1. Nerve Compression: If the injection caused swelling or changes in the surrounding tissue, it could compress nearby nerves, leading to symptoms like tingling or pain.

2. Neuropathy: If there was direct nerve damage from the injection, it could lead to neuropathic symptoms in the areas supplied by that nerve.

3. Referred Pain: Sometimes, issues in one area of the body can cause pain or discomfort in another area due to the way nerves are interconnected.

Relationship Between Symptoms
The relationship between the indentation in your buttock and the symptoms in your thigh is plausible. If the injection caused damage to the gluteal muscles or the nerves in that area, it could lead to both muscle atrophy and neurological symptoms. It’s important to consider that the body’s muscular and nervous systems are interconnected, and issues in one area can manifest as symptoms in another.

Next Steps
1. Consult a Specialist: Given your symptoms, it would be advisable to consult a neurologist or a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They can conduct a thorough evaluation, including nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG), to assess nerve function and muscle health.

2. Physical Therapy: Engaging in physical therapy may help improve muscle strength and function. A physical therapist can design a rehabilitation program tailored to your needs, focusing on strengthening the affected muscles and improving overall mobility.

3. Further Investigations: If your symptoms persist or worsen, further imaging studies (like MRI) may be warranted to assess for any structural issues that could be contributing to your symptoms.

4. Nutritional Support: While vitamin E was prescribed, it may also be beneficial to discuss other nutritional supplements or dietary changes that could support nerve health and muscle recovery.

Conclusion
In summary, the indentation in your buttock may indeed be a sign of muscle atrophy, potentially linked to the neurological symptoms in your thigh. It is crucial to pursue further evaluation and treatment to address both the muscle and nerve issues effectively. Engaging with healthcare professionals who specialize in neurology and rehabilitation will provide you with the best chance for recovery and improvement in your symptoms.

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