Muscle degeneration, also known as muscle atrophy, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by disuse of muscles, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, age, genetics, lack of physical activity, or certain medical conditions. There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Physiologic atrophy occurs when you don’t use your muscles enough, while pathologic atrophy is seen with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing disease. Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy and can be caused by an injury or disease affecting nerves that connect to your muscles. Examples of diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, nerve damage caused by injury, diabetes, toxins, or alcohol, and spinal cord injury.
The symptoms of muscle atrophy include muscles that look smaller than normal, weakness, and loss of movement or function. The degree and progression of muscle weakness and degeneration vary with the type of disorder. Congenital muscular dystrophy refers to a group of muscular dystrophies that are either present at birth or become evident before age 2. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) refers to more than 20 inherited conditions marked by progressive loss of muscle and the symmetrical weakening of voluntary muscles, primarily those in the shoulders and around the hips.
Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the underlying cause. Surgery may be able to correct contracture deformity if muscle atrophy is due to malnutrition or a torn tendon. If malnutrition is the cause of muscle atrophy, dietary changes or supplements may be suggested. Surgical procedures may improve muscle function in people whose muscle atrophy is related to neurological conditions, injuries, or malnutrition.
