MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — School officials, parents and players remained puzzled Sunday over what caused 19 members of a high school football team in northwest Oregon to suffer muscle damage — three of whom required surgery — after a fall camp.
The 19 McMinnville High School players all had elevated levels of the enzyme creatine kinase, or CK, which is released by muscles when they’re injured, said Dr. Craig Winkler of Willamette Valley Medical Center. High CK levels can lead to kidney failure if not properly treated.
“To have an epidemic like this is very weird,” Winkler said. “To have this number of athletes in one single community in one environment is very unusual.”
Three of the players also were diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue condition called “compartment syndrome,” which caused soreness and swelling in their triceps. They underwent surgery to relieve the pressure, Winkler said.
Five of the athletes were treated in the emergency room and sent home. The other 11 were admitted to the hospital and given intravenous fluids to maintain adequate hydration and prevent kidney failure, he said.
Ten boys remained hospitalized Sunday, but they were in good condition and were expected to be released today, said Rosemari Davis, Willamette Valley Medical Center’s chief executive officer.
Officials said the cause was still a mystery, but high CK levels can result from vigorous exercise or the use of certain medications or food supplements.
Before their symptoms started this past week, the players were at an immersion camp organized by first-year coach Jeff Kearin.
