What happens to paralyzed muscle fibers after several months without nerve stimulation?

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atrophy One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).

When muscle fibers are deprived of nerve stimulation due to paralysis, they undergo significant structural changes. While the initial shrinkage of these fibers becomes apparent within a few weeks, the progression after several months is more severe.

During this period, the paralyzed muscle fibers undergo fragmentation and eventually disappear. As the muscle tissue is lost, it is replaced by fat cells and a loose network of connective tissue. Additionally, some degree of contracture may occur as a result of this process.1