Auxiliary rehabilitation training after calf contouring with botulinum toxin type A injection reduces adverse reactions and improves satisfaction.

[PURPOSE] To analyze the effect of adjuvant rehabilitation training after calf contouring with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection.

[METHODS] Clinical data of 48 female beauty seekers who underwent calf contouring at the Plastic Surgery Laser Center of Guangdong Second People's Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 24 cases received routine care from January 2021 to December 2021 and were included in a control group, and 24 cases received rehabilitation care with auxiliary rehabilitation training from January 2022 to June 2022 that were in an observation group. The subjects were followed up for 24 weeks to observe the curative effect, and the injection efficacy was compared between the two groups. The maximum calf circumference (MCC) and gastrocnemius muscle thickness (GMT) were comparatively analyzed before and 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions and satisfaction rate were also compared.

[RESULTS] Both groups showed reduced calf circumferences after injection, with soft and uniform calf curves. No inter-group statistical significance was identified in terms of curative effects. Reduced MCC and GMT were observed in both groups at 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment, with lower values in the observation group than in the control group at week 2, 4, and 12. The observation group also showed markedly fewer adverse reactions and higher satisfaction rate than the control group.

[CONCLUSIONS] BTX-A injection is effective in calf contouring and can significantly reduce the MCC and GMT. In addition, post-injection rehabilitation training can significantly reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions and improve patient satisfaction.