"Dents" in leg muscles

Hi @cm2008, welcome. You'll notice that I moved your message to an existing discussion on the topic of leg indentations. I did this so you can connect with members like @johnbishop @sueinmn @trellg132 @johnhans and @cladinviolet.

cm2008, do these indentations just appear or does the skin not bounce back after depressing it with your finger? Are your lower legs swollen? Do you have any other symptoms? How active are you? So many questions...

Hello @cm2008, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @colleenyoung and others. I have had the small indentations in the past similar to yours. Mine just appeared and wasn't when I pressed on the skin. My doctor did think it was related to edema at the time but didn't think it was anything to worry about.

A few years after I noticed the dents in my legs that would occasionally show up, I went to the doctor for swelling in my ankles and legs (mostly my right leg). I was referred to a cardiologist and after some tests was diagnosed with lymphedema and now wear compression socks daily for treatment.

Have you discussed the dents with your doctor?

hi mayo clinic family.

just an update for my situation.

diagnosis from primary care physician is something called Bursitis. likely due to injury.

I have my reservations about my doctor's 1st opinion but we'll see. I can't recall getting injured yet but it doesn't hurt just odd it's the hip area.

Hi @colleenyoung , thank you!
The indentations occur out of nowhere, they do bounce back however they are indented without me touching the area. They come and go and are quite deep I would say. Leg and feet are not swollen. No other symptoms. I am active and ride bike almost daily.

Hmm, curious. The main symptom of bursitis is pain. You say you cannot recall an injury, but a few days ago you did report pain from a workout - did you tell that to the doc? It would qualify as an injury. But at least he doesn't seem worried about a serious disease or condition.
Also, having a muscle look "flabby" when lying down is pretty normal - that is its relaxed state, and not an indication of a problem.
What did the doctor recommend? The usual treatment for bursitis is range of motion exercises coupled with low-impact aerobic exercise such as walking, biking or swimming to improve strength. Any weight training for that leg should be limited to moderate weights and reps. If doing these consistently (ie 5-7 times a week) for a few weeks doesn't help, it would be time for more exploration. Also, if the leg gets so weak it begins to buckle or not support your weight, see the doc.
Let us know how you're doing in a week or two.
Sue

I have the fibromyalgia piece - no dents, but pain. I do leg edema massage (you tube) from toes to torso, elevation, heel to toe "pumping", clamshell stretches, hamstring stretches and cat/child/cobra yoga moves before bed. Heat/Ice.

Hi everyone,
I've been looking all over the internet for a similar story and I found the indents in my thigh possibly similar to @cladinviolet case. Felt what seemed like pop (?) followed by some pain down the side of my thigh while stretching but thought nothing of it and continued to do aerobics exercise. Woke up to these indents, feels like something is split in half.

Despite that, it doesn't hurt to walk or jump but I do experience discomfort when I'm sitting down i.e., slight numbness or burning on the lateral side of my foot (circled in red) which occasionally travels to my last 2 toes . I suspect it might be neuropathy because I experienced something akin to this when I had ATFL repair surgery in my ankle (opposite leg).

For further context, I do light jogging semi-regularly and I also had ACL reconstruction surgery on the same leg 5 years ago.

COVID cases in are very high and continuing to rise in my area and my local clinics are swamped, so I'd like to try and avoid seeing a doctor unless this is truly serious. Anyone has any ideas? Did the doctor point out anything specifically to look out for in bursitis @cladinviolet ?

Hello @rugsap and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can see you've found the comments by @cladinviolet and will let the pair of you connect and share to get started!

I got hit by a blade from a sled going downhill when I was young..about 20 years ago. I remember it being so painful that I could barely walk on it. I do not remember receiving any treatment for it. Here it is many years later and I still have a dent in my leg..can see it more when muscle is flexed. Any ideas why this is still here? I feel there is a lump or weird muscle formation around it...not really sore though.

Hello @melmes78, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I've had some similar dents near the shin on the inside of my legs. My primary care doc thought they may be pitting edema at the time. A few years later I was diagnosed with lymphedema and now wear compression socks as a treatment. I think only a doctor can really give you an answer. Here is some information that you may find helpful until other members can share their experience.

Quadriceps Muscle Contusion: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Quadriceps_Muscle_Contusion

You mentioned it was really painful at the time the trauma to the leg happened and you could barely walk. Do think it still is affecting the way you walk?