A case of paraspinal muscle rhabdomyolysis in a 22-Year-Old male after ingesting a supplement containing higenamine

Rhabdomyolysis is a painful and potentially life-threatening injury in which muscle breaks down in response to an insult. In this case report, we describe the clinical course of a 22-year-old man who developed paraspinal muscle rhabdomyolysis and possible compartment syndrome in association with strenuous activity and the ingestion of an exercise supplement containing the stimulant higenamine. Although he did not experience any renal damage, he did experience a high level of pain acutely and for the next 4 months. A history of exercise supplement intake should increase the index of suspicion for rhabdomyolysis when a patient presents with moderate to severe muscle pain, even if the muscle group is not in a classic location for rhabdomyolysis.