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Muscle wasting; Wasting; Atrophy of the muscles
An exercise program (under the direction of a therapist or doctor) is recommended to help treat muscle atrophy. This may include exercises in water to reduce the muscle workload, and other types of rehabilitation.
People who cannot actively move one or more joints can do exercises using braces or splints.
Call your doctor for an appointment if you have unexplained or long-term muscle loss. You can often see this when you compare one hand, arm, or leg to the other.
The doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:
The doctor will look at your arms and legs and measure muscle size to try to determine which nerve or nerves are affected.
Tests that may be performed include:
Treatment may include ultrasound therapy and, in some cases, surgery to correct a contracture.
Barohn RJ. Muscle Diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 447.
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