Volume 13, Issue 6: Rhabdomyolysis in the older patient – when a little fall becomes a bigger problem

Rhabdomyolysis in the older patient – when a little fall becomes a bigger problem

You’re nearly at the end of a busy shift when another call comes in – a category 3 response for an 82-year-old female complaining of painful legs and malaise. On arrival you hear that she had a fall two days ago, but you think she probably doesn’t need to go to hospital. You give her GP a call to discuss and then you realise that it might be more serious after all.

CPD benefit

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical condition caused by injury to skeletal muscle fibres, causing leakage of muscle cell components into the extracellular space and body circulation, which can lead to systemic complications. Older patients who have fallen at home are at high risk of developing the condition. This article outlines the signs and symptoms and the potential complications of rhabdomyolysis. There is also guidance on how to assess whether the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis outweighs the risks associated with an unnecessary hospital admission for older patients. This includes possible referral options and safety netting to help you manage risk when attending older patients who have fallen and could develop rhabdomyolysis.