Weakness After an Intra-articular Steroid Injection: A Case Report of Acute Steroid-induced Myopathy

Weakness is a common chief complaint in the emergency department, and the use of glucocorticoids is pervasive in medicine. Muscle weakness, or myopathy, is a well documented side effect of chronic glucocorticoid use. However, acute myopathy, with an onset shortly after initiation of glucocorticoids,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical practice and cases in emergency medicine 2022-05, Vol.6 (2), p.166-168
Main Authors: Jordan, Matthew R, Hensley, Lauren A, Jackson, Michael L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
Case reports
Steroids
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Summary:Weakness is a common chief complaint in the emergency department, and the use of glucocorticoids is pervasive in medicine. Muscle weakness, or myopathy, is a well documented side effect of chronic glucocorticoid use. However, acute myopathy, with an onset shortly after initiation of glucocorticoids, is much rarer. We present a case of acute steroid-induced myopathy after a single intra-articular dose of triamcinolone in a young, healthy, active male. To our knowledge, this is the first case described in the medical literature of acute steroid-induced myopathy following a single intra-articular injection. In a patient who presents with proximal muscle weakness and has a history of glucocorticoid use, the diagnosis of steroid-induced myopathy should be considered. Acute steroid-induced myopathy should be high on the differential in a patient who presents with typical symptoms and has been prescribed glucocorticoids for less than 14 days or, in rare cases, may have recently received a single dose of glucocorticoids. Treatment is supportive and outpatient management is typically indicated, as respiratory muscle involvement is rare.
ISSN:2474-252X
2474-252X
DOI:10.5811/cpcem.2022.2.55995