Skip to main content

Rhabdomyolysis, Sports Medicine

Vijay Jotwani, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • The breakdown and necrosis of skeletal muscle with subsequent release of intracellular contents, such as myoglobin and creatine phosphokinase (CK)

  • A combination of myoglobinuria, hypo...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Symptoms of muscle injury along with an increase in CK levels used to make the diagnosis. Typical threshold is a CK level 5 to 10 times the upper limit of normal (~1,000 IU/L) 1[C].

  • Symptoms ...

TREATMENT

  • Aggressive fluid resuscitation is paramount to limiting renal compromise.

  • Prehospital:

    • Need for rapid extrication in case of crush injury

    • Early intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent complications ...

ONGOING CARE

  • Underlying cause of rhabdomyolysis should be determined if etiology was not discovered during hospital stay.

  • Genetic testing and muscle biopsy should be considered when suspicion for under...

REFERENCES

1
Hummel K, Gregory A, Desai N, et al. Rhabdomyolysis in adolescent athletes: review of cases. Phys Sportsmed.  2016;44(2):195–199.
2
Tietze D, Borchers J. Exertional rhabdomyolysis in th...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Consider rhabdomyolysis in any athlete with muscle pain, swelling, or weakness or following significant trauma.

  • ER is a preventable condition that occurs secondary to training error whe...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×