Exertional rhabdomyolysis in a 21-year-old healthy man resulting from lower extremity training A case report

Rationale: The incidence exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis is increasing in the healthy general population. Rhabdomyolysis can lead to the life-threatening systemic complications of acute kidney injury (AKI), compartment syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Patient concerns: A 21-year-old man had bilateral lower limb pain and soreness, dark brown urine after lower exremity training. Laboratory results showed that creatinine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (Mb) increased to 140,500IU/L and 8632mg/L respectively, with elevated liver enzymes, Scr, and proteinuria. Diagnoses: Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis with AKI. Interventions: The patient was hospitalized and treated with vigorous hydration and sodium bicarbonate for 6 days. Outcomes: After 6 days of treatment, the patient had a significant decrease in the CK and Mb levels. His renal function returned to normal. His laboratory tests had completely normalized during 2-week follow-up. Lessons: Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis can cause serious complications such as AKI. Delayed diagnosis can be critical, so timely manner should be taken to achieve a favorable prognosis.