What is steroid myopathy?
Steroid myopathy is progressive painless proximal weakness in the context of steroid treatment. CK is not elevated, and EMG may either be normal or show minimal myopathic changes.
Muscle biopsy shows type 2 fiber atrophy.
Typically the myopathy is related to chronic use but can occur with only a few weeks of exposure.
Chronic steroid myotoxicity can be prevented in part by exercise, and symptoms improve if the dose is reduced or discontinued.