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Renal osteodystrophy

High YieldApplied Basic SciencesthinKbox SBA

Definition

The skeletal manifestation of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder.

Pathophysiology

  • Impaired phosphate excretion
  • Reduced vitamin D activation
  • Hypocalcaemia
  • Secondary hyperparathyroidism
  • Disturbed bone turnover and mineralisation

Clinical features

  • Bone pain
  • Fracture risk
  • Deformity in severe or longstanding disease
  • Extraskeletal calcification may occur as part of CKD-MBD

Management

  • Control phosphate
  • Active vitamin D therapy where appropriate
  • Manage secondary hyperparathyroidism
  • Orthopaedic management of fractures and deformity as needed

Diagram

Renal osteodystrophy

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath

Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource

Reviewed: September 2026