Purpose: Hereditary metabolic disorders can cause rhabdomyolysis in athletes. Team physicians should be aware of the presentation, workup, and management of the most common of these disorders, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) II deficiency and muscle phosphorylase deficiency.
Methods: The case of a collegiate athlete with recurrent bouts of rhabdomyolysis is presented, and the diagnostic workup is discussed.
Results: The patient described in this case has CPT II deficiency. The diagnosis and management of CPT II deficiency and muscle phosphorylase deficiency (McArdle's disease) are discussed.
Conclusion: Athletes with rhabdomyolysis, in the absence of an obvious cause such as drug toxicity, severe trauma, or excessive exercise, should be evaluated for the presence of a metabolic myopathy.