Myositis (peds)

Background

viral myositis occurs and Influenza is one of the most common viruses it occurs with. Patients usually have a history of recent illness (fever, URI symptoms, fever, etc). Usually, as the patient is starting to improve they will present with significant pain in their muscles. Most commonly it causes pain in the lower legs but can have pain and tenderness in other muscle groups (thighs, arms). Patient usually look well but will sometimes walk with wide gait and on their toes. When lying in bed will often keep toes pointed and when you try to dorsiflex feet will have pain in calves. Work-up includes ck and urine to check for myoglobin. Rhabdo is unusual but has been reported.