Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis involves the destruction of skeletal muscle cells, though diagnostic criteria based on creatine kinase (CK) levels remain inconsistent and often arbitrary. While severe cases lead to pigmenturia and acute renal failure, marked CK elevation following strenuous exercise in healthy individuals does not necessarily indicate a pathological disease process. Clinical management requires distinguishing between benign exercise-induced muscle breakdown and dangerous conditions triggered by factors like statin use, crush injuries, or illicit substances. Aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation serves as the primary treatment, yet the routine administration of bicarbonate or diuretics lacks robust evidence and remains a subject of medical debate. Clinicians must prioritize monitoring for life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities, such as hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, rather than focusing solely on numerical CK thresholds, ensuring that treatment decisions reflect the patient's overall clinical presentation rather than isolated lab values.