Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(10): 829-834
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311582
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Irreversible Muscle Damage in Bodybuilding due to Long-Term Intramuscular Oil Injection

I. J. Banke
1   Clinic of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
2   Department of Orthopaedic Sports Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
,
P. M. Prodinger
1   Clinic of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
,
S. Waldt
3   Institute of Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
,
G. Weirich
4   Institute of Pathology, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
,
B. M. Holzapfel
1   Clinic of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
5   Orthopaedic Center for Musculosceletal Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, König-Ludwig-Haus, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
,
R. Gradinger
1   Clinic of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
,
H. Rechl
1   Clinic of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 28 February 2012

Publication Date:
16 May 2012 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Intramuscular oil injections generating slowly degrading oil-based depots represent a controversial subject in bodybuilding and fitness. However they seem to be commonly reported in a large number of non-medical reports, movies and application protocols for ‘site-injections’. Surprisingly the impact of long-term (ab)use on the musculature as well as potential side-effects compromising health and sports ability are lacking in the medical literature. We present the case of a 40 year old male semi-professional bodybuilder with systemic infection and painful reddened swellings of the right upper arm forcing him to discontinue weightlifting. Over the last 8 years he daily self-injected sterilized sesame seed oil at numerous intramuscular locations for the purpose of massive muscle building. Whole body MRI showed more than 100 intramuscular rather than subcutaneous oil cysts and loss of normal muscle anatomy. 2-step septic surgery of the right upper arm revealed pus-filled cystic scar tissue with the near-complete absence of normal muscle. MRI 1 year later revealed the absence of relevant muscle regeneration. Persistent pain and inability to perform normal weight training were evident for at least 3 years post-surgery. This alarming finding indicating irreversible muscle mutilation may hopefully discourage people interested in bodybuilding and fitness from oil-injections. The impact of such chronic tissue stress on other diseases like malignancy remains to be determined.

Key words

bodybuilding - muscle augmentation - intramuscular oil injection - irreversible muscle damage
 

  • References

  • 1 Darsow U, Bruckbauer H, Worret WI, Hofmann H, Ring J. Subcutaneous oleomas induced by self-injection of sesame seed oil for muscle augmentation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000; 42: 292-294
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Evans NA. Current concepts in anabolic-androgenic steroids. Am J Sports Med 2004; 32: 534-542
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Georgieva J, Assaf C, Steinhoff M, Treudler R, Orfanos CE, Geilen CC. Bodybuilder oleoma. Br J Dermatol 2003; 149: 1289-1290
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Hain JR. Subcutaneous corn oil injections, fat embolization syndrome, and death. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2009; 30: 398-402
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update--Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Hartgens F, Kuipers H. Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports Med 2004; 34: 513-554
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Kiyokawa H, Utsumi K, Minemura K, Kasuga I, Torii Y, Yonemaru M, Ichinose Y, Toyama K. Fat embolism syndrome caused by vegetable oil injection. Intern Med 1995; 34: 380-383
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Koopman M, Richter C, Parren RJ, Janssen M. Bodybuilding, sesame oil and vasculitis. Rheumatology 2005; 44: 1135
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Kundu JK, Surh YJ. Inflammation: gearing the journey to cancer. Mutat Res 2008; 659: 15-30
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Munch IC, Hvolris JJ. Bodybuilding aided by intramuscular injections of walnut oil. Ugeskr Laeger 2001; 163: 6758
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Qu X. Morphological effects of mechanical forces on the human humerus. Br J Sports Med 1992; 26: 51-53
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Strickley RG. Solubilizing excipients in oral and injectable formulations. Pharm Res 2004; 21: 201-230
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Thomas P, Boussuges A, Gainnier M, Quenee V, Donati S, Ayem ML, Barthelemy A, Sainty JM. Fat embolism after intrapenile injection of sweet almond oil. Rev Mal Respir 1998; 15: 307-308
    PubMedGoogle Scholar