title: Multiple Skin Abscesses and Myofibrosis of Bilateral Lower Limbs Following Repeated Intramuscular Injection of Pentazocine with Concomitant Tuberculous Infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prescription drug abuse is a major health problem across the globe. Various complications associated with repeated injection of pentazocine are reported in the literature, including skin fibrosis, skin abscesses and ulceration, abnormal skin pigmentation and fibrous myopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of 48 year male with history of pentazocine abuse. Patient developed multiple abscesses in both lower limbs with polymicrobial infection, one of them being mycobacterium tuberculosis. He also developed fibrous myopathy leading to stiff hip and knee.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case highlights the significance of the precaution that should be taken when prescribing opioid analgesics, such as pentazocine, as routine painkillers. With free over the counter access to these drugs in India and many developing countries, awareness of this complication is important so that unwanted side effects can be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Mahim, Mumbai. India.
authors.forename: Vikas M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Agashe
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Mahim, Mumbai. India.
authors.forename: Hitendra
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Mahim, Mumbai. India.
authors.forename: Manit K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Gundavda
keywords: Fibrous myopathy; Multiple skin abscesses; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Pentazocine