A strenuous offseason workout on Jan. 6 resulted in multiple Rockwall-Heath football players being hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis.
The high school football coach John Harrell was put on administrative leave last week after allegedly forcing the athletes to do more than 300 push-ups in an hour. Afterwards, several players showed symptoms that required medical attention and were reportedly diagnosed with rhabdo.
Some players, like junior Brady Luff and senior Burnis Lewis, defended the coach’s actions. So did dozens of students and parents who wore shirts that said “Keep Harrell” at a board meeting on Tuesday. But parents of the more than a dozen hospitalized players said Harrell pushed them too hard.
“He could not lift his arms, brush his teeth. He could not lift his hands to wash his face. He had swelling in his muscles,” Dr. Osehotue Okokie, whose son was in the hospital for a week, told Fox 4. “I’ve spoken to military folks, and they haven’t done that level of workout, and these are children.”
Mother Maria Avila told CBS DFW her son “was very stiff” and could not move his arms.
The Rockwall Independent School District has pursued a third-party review and Child Protective Services is investigating the incident.
What is rhabdo?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a serious medical condition that can result in death or disability. Rhabdo happens when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood, which can damage the heart and kidneys.
What causes rhabdo?
Rhabdo can occur from any type of muscle damage. The CDC says causes of rhabdo include:
- Heat exposure
- Physical exertion or overuse
- Direct trauma, such as a crush injury from a fall
While dehydration doesn’t cause rhabdo, it can make it worse because it impairs the body’s ability to get rid of the damaged muscle’s proteins and electrolytes.
Who can get rhabdo?
Rhabdo can happen to anyone, but people who work in hot environments and/or perform strenuous physical activities are at higher risk of getting rhabdo, including:
Firefighters
Police officers
First responders
Farmers
Construction workers
Forge workers
Military service members
Athletes
What are the symptoms of rhabdo?
Rhabdo symptoms can appear any time after a muscle injury, and for some start several days later.
You might have one or more of these symptoms if you develop rhabdo, in which case you should immediately seek medical care:
- Severe muscle cramps, aches or pains
- Dark urine
- Weakness, tiredness or an inability to complete work tasks or finish a workout
If you start experiencing any rhabdo symptoms, immediately stop your current activity, cool down and start drinking fluids. It is also possible to have rhabdo and show no symptoms.
Go to a healthcare provider and get tested right away if you suspect that you have rhabdo, the CDC said. The only way to check if you have the condition is through a blood test that tests for levels of the muscle protein creatine kinase.
What medical problems can rhabdo cause?
Rhabdo can cause a slew of medical problems, according to the CDC, including:
- Kidney damage or kidney failure
- Dangerous heart rhythms or arrhythmia
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
Compartment syndrome
- Permanent disability
- Death
How is rhabdo treated?
Early treatment can prevent serious medical issues and increase your chances of a quick recovery without any lasting negative health effects, per the CDC. Healthcare providers determine the severity and corresponding treatment through blood tests and electrocardiograms.
In less severe cases, drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the heat and getting lots of rest will have you feeling better. For moderate to severe rhabdo cases, patients may need IV fluids and hospital admission. IV fluids help flush out the muscle proteins and electrolytes, and can prevent dangerous heart rhythms and loss of kidney function. Hospitals monitor and treat severe cases for abnormal heart rhythms, decreased kidney function, seizures, elevated compartment pressures and high potassium levels, according to the CDC.
How can you prevent rhabdo?
These are some ways you can lower your risk for rhabdo:
- Stay hydrated: Drink caffeine-free and low-sugar beverages. Avoid consuming alcohol when in the heat.
Stay home when you’re sick: Illnesses like the flu and cold medications can increase your risk.
Don’t get overheated: Take frequent breaks and use cooling stations if available.
