Muscular hypertrophy after chronic radiculopathy.

In four patients, calf muscular hypertrophy developed after the onset of sciatica. Hypertrophic muscles were weak and showed electromyographic signs of denervation. In all cases, calf muscle biopsy showed striking hypertrophy of type 1 and, especially, type 2 muscle fibers. This hypertrophy was associated with other signs indicating a neurogenic lesion. Muscle hypertrophy is a rare finding in neurogenic lesions. Stretch and exercise of muscle are probably the causative factors.