Thank you for you help, I will refer myself back to see the phsiotherapist.
I was under the doctor years ago for my sciatica and had an MRI scan which showed a deflated disc and partially deflated disc in the lower lumber region. I haven't had any pain for years but it left me with a limp. Two years ago I went to the doctors about the limp and was referred to a physiotherapist, he said there was a dent in my calf muscle and was told to do certain exercise to rebuild it, in all honesty I didn't keep up the exercise so it's partly my fault.
I can do a self referral and go back to see the physiotherapist so I will do that.
Thank you for your help
I have to agree with sblythe's point that nerve and cord impingement in the lower lumbar and sacral levels can damage the leg muscles.
The gastrocnemius muscle of the calf is innervated by a branch of the S1-L5 nerve roots. These roots continue to form part of the sciatic nerve.
Muscle tone requires proper innervation and adequate blood supply. It goes without saying that if a musculoskeletal disorder is causing impingement on these nerve roots, or interferes with the blood vessels supplying these muscles, tone will suffer. Please see your doctor for a proper diagnosis of any medical problem.
Walking is an excellent way to exercise the leg muscles, while at the same time provides health benefits to the entire body and mind.
Were you under a physician's care at the time? Muscle wasting is a serious sign of pressure on the nerve in the back. This would generally be an indication for back surgery to get the ruptured disc (the usual cause of the pressure) off of the nerve. Doing whatever exercises you can do to work the involved muscle group will help, but if the nerve has been destroyed and the muscles don't work, you are too late.