Muscle hypertrophy of the lower leg caused by L5 radiculopathy

We report on a case with hypertrophy of the tibial muscles and to a lesser extent of the calf muscles preceded by a lumbar syndrome and sciatica. Lumbar myelography disclosed a discogenic compression of the L5 nerve root. Muscle biopsy of the peroneal muscles showed a marked type I fibre predominance and hypertrophy but no inflammatory infiltration. We consider the possibility that radiculopathy not only of the S1 nerve root but also of the L5 root can trigger hypertrophy of the musculature and must be taken into account of the differential diagnosis of unilateral focal hypertrophy of the lower leg. (C) 2009 Societe francaise de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.