Management of Muscle Atrophy - Essay Example

When a leg is cast for a prolonged period, it will be immobilized. The long period of inactivity of the leg may decrease the strength of the muscle. It should be noted that constant physical activity is required for all body muscles to stay in good condition. “The Mayo Clinic states that most muscle mass will usually recover with a well-developed exercise program of physical therapy. The individual's physician or physical therapist should be consulted regarding the specifics of the exercise program and the timeframe involved”(Garett, 2012). However, in certain cases, muscle mass may not be regained by the patients treated with a cast even after physical therapy. In such cases, steroid injections can be used with the help of a doctor. A steroid called Kenalog or Kenacort is found to be effective in the treatment of muscle atrophy. However, it should be administered only with the help of a doctor since overdoses of steroids can bring more harm than good.

            To conclude, muscle atrophy is common after cast treatment on legs for a prolonged period. It can be managed with the help of physical therapy and medicines after the removal of the cast.