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Sub-Category:

Crush Injuries

Number of Conditions: 1

Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Soft Tissue Injuries

Sub-category: Crush Injuries

Symptoms:
muscle pain; weakness; swelling; dark or tea-colored urine; fatigue; nausea; vomiting

Root Cause:
Breakdown of muscle tissue leads to the release of intracellular contents, including myoglobin, creatine kinase, and electrolytes, into the bloodstream, potentially causing kidney damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels, myoglobin in urine, electrolyte imbalances (hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia), and renal function tests.

Treatment:
Aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation to prevent kidney damage, electrolyte correction, and, in severe cases, dialysis or fasciotomy.

Medications:
Medications for rhabdomyolysis may include sodium bicarbonate (to alkalinize urine), diuretics (to support urine output), and calcium gluconate (to manage hyperkalemia). These belong to classes such as alkalizing agents, diuretics, and electrolyte replacements.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in 26,000 cases per year in the U.S.; common causes include trauma, overexertion, and drug toxicity.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, crush injuries, prolonged immobility, intense exercise, dehydration, statin use, and drug or alcohol abuse.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment; delayed intervention may lead to acute kidney injury or death.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, compartment syndrome, cardiac arrhythmias, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).