The American had been training ahead of the forthcoming snowboard season but after a session noticed swelling in her arm.

Purdy went to hospital and doctors confirmed she had the condition, which sees damaged skeletal muscle break down rapidly.

The breakdown can result in the protein myoglobin being released into the bloodstream and, although it is filtered out by the kidneys, it can cause damage to the organ.

"I have been training as I prepare for the snowboard season and one day last week I pushed myself too hard," Purdy wrote on Instagram.

"It seemed to happen so innocently, I did a series of pull-ups and simply pushed too hard to complete the set.

"My muscles were a bit sore for a day, nothing bad but then I noticed a bit of swelling in my arm and having a friend in the hospital with this condition last year, I rushed to the ER where they confirmed I had it too.

"It's been a very intense week hooked up to machines supporting my kidney through this process.

"It's so crazy to be so healthy and to think you are doing good for your body, then to suddenly have a life threatening condition occur."

The American, who had both of her legs had to be amputated below the knee and lost both kidneys due to meningitis, urged her followers to ensure they listen to their bodies as she sought to raise awareness of the condition.

As well as her snowboard cross bronze medallist from Sochi 2014, Purdy made an appearance at the Opening Ceremony of this year's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

She featured in a dance with an industrial robot, which aimed to highlight human kind's coexistence with technology.

Following Sochi 2014, Purdy had competed in season 18 of Dancing with the Stars,  the first double amputee contestant to ever appear on the show, 

She finished as the runner-up with her partner Derek Hough.