Atrophy of leg

[aron787]

I am a physician and have degenerative disk disease with almost complete loss of disk space at L5-S1, and foraminal stenosis which is worse on the right. I had chymopapain injection of a herniated disk 25 years ago.I started experiencing an exacerbation in June, first in the back, then in the legs. To cut a long story short, I have failed all other modalities and am planning a minimally invasive TLIF with a fine surgeon I know. The strange thing is that I have some atrophy on the LEFT leg,( which doesn't bother me nearly as much as the right), both in the quads and calves. The MRI shows no other disease, and EMG/nerve conduction studies do not show a neuropathy, just early signs of denervation in the lower lumbar paraspinal muscles.I don't really feel weakness, but my wife of 30 years, an experienced physical therapist noticed it, and measurements confirm about 1/2" less circumference. There is obviously less muscle bulk. Is this just a red herring? What could be the cause? I am doing a lot less leg work at the gym because of my back, but why atrophy on one side? Thanks.