Logan Steele
Muscle atrophy, or muscle wasting, can be caused by nerve damage. This can be due to nerve problems or diseases, or physical inactivity. There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Physiologic atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough, pathologic atrophy is associated with aging, starvation, and diseases, and neurogenic atrophy is caused by nerve problems or diseases. Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy and typically cannot be reversed due to the physical damage that has been done to the nerves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it called when nerve damage causes muscle wasting? | Muscle atrophy, or neurogenic atrophy |
| What is muscle atrophy? | The wasting or thinning of muscle mass or tissue |
| What are the symptoms of muscle atrophy? | Decrease in muscle mass, one limb being smaller than the other, weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, trouble walking or balancing, difficulty swallowing or speaking |
| What causes muscle atrophy? | Neurogenic atrophy is caused by nerve problems or diseases. Physiologic atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough due to physical inactivity, pain, bed rest, long-term immobilisation of a joint, plaster casts, malnutrition, age, genetics, etc. |
| How is muscle atrophy treated? | Treatment depends on the type of atrophy. Physiologic atrophy can be treated with exercise and better nutrition. Neurogenic atrophy cannot usually be treated because of the physical damage done to the nerves. Other treatments include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and surgery. |
| What are some examples of nerve damage that can cause atrophy? | Sciatic nerve damage, peripheral nerve damage, central nerve damage, nerve constriction, nerve transection, nerve injury, nerve diseases, nerve disorders, nerve problems |
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What You'll Learn
Nerve damage can cause muscle atrophy
Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, malnutrition, ageing, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Nerve damage is one such medical condition that can cause muscle atrophy. This is known as neurogenic atrophy, which occurs due to nerve problems or diseases. Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy and is often irreversible.
Neurogenic atrophy can be caused by an injury to, or disease of, a nerve that connects to the muscle. This type of atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than other types. Examples of diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Peripheral nerve damage can also cause involuntary muscle twitches, known as fasciculations, in addition to atrophy.
Sciatic nerve damage, in particular, has been shown to cause skeletal muscle atrophy. This is due to increased intramuscular glucose and polyol pathway intermediate accumulation, resulting from decreased glycolytic activity and glycogen storage in the muscle. Additionally, nerve damage can lead to molecular events that cause muscular dysfunction advancement in atrophic conditions.
The musculoskeletal unit comprises the combined functioning of muscles and bones. When there is damage to the skeletal muscle, it can affect the bones, and vice versa. Transforming growth factor beta type 1 (TGF-1β) is released during bone regeneration and remodeling, which can hinder muscle recovery following nerve injury. Therefore, nerve damage can have a significant impact on both muscle and bone health, contributing to muscle atrophy.
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Neurogenic atrophy is irreversible
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by disuse of muscles or neurogenic conditions. Neurogenic atrophy occurs due to nerve problems or diseases. When these nerves are damaged, they can't trigger the muscle contractions that are needed to stimulate muscle activity. When muscles don't contract, the body thinks they are not needed anymore, so it starts breaking them down, leading to a decrease in size and strength.
Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy. It can be caused by an injury to, or disease of, a nerve that connects to the muscle. Diseases and other conditions that can affect these nerves include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Guillain-Barre syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis. Neurogenic atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than physiologic atrophy.
Neurogenic atrophy typically cannot be reversed because of the physical damage that has been done to the nerves. Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type. Disuse (physiologic) atrophy can be treated with regular exercise and better nutrition. However, neurogenic atrophy is not reversible through exercise and diet alone. In some cases, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and surgery to correct a contracture may be recommended.
The amount of time it takes for muscles to atrophy depends on age, fitness level, and cause of atrophy. If atrophy is due to disuse, the process can start within two to three weeks of not using the muscles. In the case of peripheral nerve damage, involuntary muscle twitches may occur in addition to atrophy. If muscle loss persists for a long time, exercise therapy and physiotherapy are essential to rebuild the muscles.
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Muscle wasting can be caused by nerve injury
Muscle wasting, or atrophy, can be caused by nerve injury. This is known as neurogenic atrophy and is the most severe type of muscle atrophy. It occurs when there is an injury to, or disease of, a nerve that connects to a muscle. This can include damage to a single nerve, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or damage to multiple nerves, as in the case of a stroke. Neurogenic atrophy can also be caused by diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or myasthenia gravis.
Neurogenic atrophy is typically not reversible due to the physical damage that has been done to the nerves. This is in contrast to disuse atrophy, which is caused by a lack of physical activity, and can often be treated with exercise and improved nutrition. Neurogenic atrophy can cause a decrease in muscle mass, with one limb sometimes being smaller than the other. It can also lead to numbness, weakness, and tingling in the limbs, as well as trouble walking or balancing, and difficulty swallowing or speaking.
In terms of treatment, exercise therapy has been shown to be effective in mitigating neurogenic atrophy, particularly in patients with fractures or nerve damage. Electromechanical stimulation of the muscle lacking neural innervation has also been found to help mitigate the adverse effects of denervation-induced muscle wasting, although it does not enhance the process of neural re-establishment. Ultrasound therapy and surgery are other potential treatment options.
The molecular events that occur after nerve damage can cause muscular dysfunction advancement in atrophic conditions. For example, nerve damage can cause a decrease in IRS1 signaling, as well as substantial decreases in PFK1 and GS, which are rate-limiting proteins of glycolysis and glycogen synthesis. This results in an accumulation of intramuscular glucose and polyol pathway intermediates. Additionally, denervation can cause significant damage not only to the muscles but also to the bones, hindering recovery.
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Muscle innervation is critical for muscle tone
Neurogenic atrophy is caused by nerve problems or diseases. It can be the result of an injury to, or disease of, a nerve that connects to a muscle. This type of atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than physiologic atrophy. Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy.
The number of nerve fibres that innervate a muscle is smaller than the number of muscle fibres. Within the muscle, nerve fibres branch and innervate several muscle fibres. The nerve and the group of muscle fibres that are simultaneously innervated by it are called a motor unit. Motor units vary in size, with some muscles, such as those that move the eyeball, containing an average of about seven muscle fibres per motor unit, while a motor unit in the leg may contain more than 1,000 muscle fibres.
Muscle tone is a foundational property of the motor system, and it can be affected by neural regulation. It is described as the degree of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle. Muscle tone varies along a bell-shaped curve, with low tone perceived as "lax, flabby, floppy, mushy, dead weight", and high tone as "tight, light, strong". However, muscles with high tone are not necessarily strong, and muscles with low tone are not necessarily weak. Low tone increases flexibility and decreases strength, while high tone decreases flexibility and increases strength.
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Exercise therapy can mitigate nerve damage atrophy
Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Neurogenic atrophy, specifically, is caused by nerve damage that impairs muscle contractions and can lead to muscle wasting.
Exercise therapy can effectively mitigate nerve damage-induced atrophy. Physiologic atrophy, resulting from muscle disuse, can often be reversed with exercise and improved nutrition. Similarly, neurogenic atrophy caused by nerve damage can be treated with specific types of physical therapy and exercise plans.
For physiologic atrophy, healthcare providers may recommend exercises in a swimming pool to reduce muscle workload during the rehabilitation process. Even individuals who cannot actively move certain joints can perform exercises with the support of braces or splints.
In cases of neurogenic atrophy, electrical stimulation therapy, a special type of physical therapy, can be employed. This involves placing electrodes on the skin over the affected muscles. The electrodes deliver small electrical impulses to the nerves and muscles, artificially stimulating contractions to maintain muscle mass and strength. Ultrasound therapy is another treatment option, as it promotes muscle healing through the application of sound waves.
The effectiveness of exercise therapy in mitigating nerve damage atrophy depends on the type of atrophy and the severity of the condition. While physiologic atrophy is generally reversible with exercise, neurogenic atrophy may be more challenging to treat due to the physical damage inflicted on the nerves. Nonetheless, exercise therapy can help prevent further deterioration and promote reinnervation in some cases of nerve damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass.
Muscle atrophy can be caused by the disuse of muscles, neurogenic conditions, nerve problems or diseases, physical inactivity, immobilisation of joints, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions.
Yes, nerve damage can cause muscle atrophy. Nerve damage can lead to muscular dysfunction and molecular events that cause atrophic conditions. Peripheral nerve damage can cause involuntary muscle twitches in addition to atrophy.
Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on its type and cause. Physiologic atrophy caused by disuse can be treated with regular exercise, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and better nutrition. Neurogenic atrophy is harder to treat because of the physical damage that has been done to the nerves.
