Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

The Use of Thermal Infra-Red Imaging to Detect Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Published on: January 22, 2012
[Myalgia during warming-up in a 12-year-old boy]
Marianne Koenraads1, Jolet A den Boer, Henk Kerkhoff
1Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis, Dordrecht. the Netherlands. Koenraads.m@gmail.com
McArdle disease, a genetic myopathy, causes painful muscle cramps due to muscle phosphorylase deficiency. Diagnosis in a 12-year-old boy involved clinical symptoms and genetic testing, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- McArdle disease is an inherited myopathy stemming from muscle phosphorylase deficiency.
- It manifests as exercise-induced muscle pain, potentially leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old boy presented with leg pain during exercise, characteristic of McArdle disease.
- Symptoms included childhood-onset pain during walking and leg myalgia during soccer warm-ups, relieved by rest.
Findings:
- Elevated serum creatine kinase levels supported the clinical suspicion of McArdle disease.
- Molecular genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis in the pediatric patient.
Implications:
- Currently, no effective gene therapy exists for McArdle disease.
- A coordinated multidisciplinary approach involving neurologists, pediatricians, physiotherapists, and nutritionists is crucial for patient management.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.
Increased Body Temperature
