Rhabdomyolysis is a serious syndrome due to a direct or indirect muscle injury. It results from the death of muscle fibers and release of their contents into the bloodstream. This can lead to serious complications such as renal (kidney) failure. This means the kidneys cannot remove waste and concentrated urine. In rare cases, rhabdomyolysis can even cause death. However, prompt treatment often brings a good outcome. Here’s what you need to know about rhabdomyolysis.
There are many traumatic and nontraumatic causes of rhabdomyolysis. In the first category, causes include:
A crush injury such as from an auto accident, fall, or building collapse
Long-lasting muscle compression such as that caused by prolonged immobilization after a fall or lying unconscious on a hard surface during illness or while under the influence of alcohol or medication
Electrical shock injury, lightning strike, or third-degree burn
Venom from a snake or insect bite