A sixteen-year-old student who complained of excruciating pain and weakness in both legs was taken to the emergency room of Manipal Hospital Broadway. With no movement of his legs, his thigh and calf muscles were taut. When he began to pass dark red urine, his family was concerned. The youngster recovered within 72 hours of admission and was released thanks to the quick diagnosis, R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) treatment, and timely, thoughtful IV fluid delivery by Internal Medicine Consultant Dr. Subhasis Ganguly.

The typical X student complained of tight legs, excruciating pain, and weakness after engaging in intense, unfamiliar exercise for an extended period without adequate fluids. When he complained of passing dark red urine, his health deteriorated. Acute rhabdomyolysis was diagnosed right away. Muscular trauma resulting in acute kidney and liver impairment caused the CPK (creatinine phosphokinase) level, which is normally between 300 and 400, to rise to 88,000 due to acute muscle injury and muscle fiber breakdown.

Dr Subhasis Ganguly, Consultant Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Broadway, said, “Initial muscle damage and muscle fiber breakdown result in an initial inflammatory response, and muscle protein enters the bloodstream and is filtered out of the urine, giving it a reddish hue (myoglobinuria). Since the youngster displayed symptoms of acute renal and hepatic injury, it is always advised to avoid prolonged, unusual exercise without rehydration because the condition could have been fatal. However, normalcy was gradually restored after prompt hydration and electrolyte replacement. His blood parameters, including his CPK levels, have also returned to normal”.

The youngster received counseling as well because he was pretty anxious and shocked, but on the day of discharge, he was able to walk when his legs were mobilized, and he felt a great sense of relief as he walked home.

Priyanka Dutta