An unusual complication: prolonged myopathy due to an alternative medical therapy with heat and massage.
A 66-year-old male presented with swelling of the neck and arms, which was limiting his daily activities. Serum muscle enzymes were increased. A detailed history revealed that the patient received 10 cycles of infrared heat and massage therapy approximately 1 month before his first visit to the outpatient clinic. The swelling of the extremities began on day 11 of therapy, and the pain became unbearable. He was followed up with analgesics. There was a significant decrease in the muscle enzymes and a subjective improvement of 60-70% one month after discharge. Alternative therapies may have serious complications, and patients usually do not report them unless asked specifically.
Tanriover
Mine Durusu
MD
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. mdurusu@hacettepe.edu.tr
Guven
Gulay Sain
GS
Topeli
Arzu
A
D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology*
D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase