Surgical Indications in Hypophosphataemic Rickets

Low levels of phosphate in blood secondary to a lack of phosphorous reabsorption in the renal tubule cause hypophosphataemic rickets. To increase blood calcium levels, bone calcium is released into the bloodstream by increasing the activity of osteoclasts in the bones. These alterations in bone metabolism lead to delayed growth and small height, diffuse bone pain, bone fragility with microfractures, and frequent fractures and bone deformities. Although management of some of these conditions is mainly conservative, in cases of bone deformities or severe osteomalacia surgery should be considered: from minimally invasive surgical techniques of guided growth in patients with less deformity and open physeal cartilage to correction osteotomies in three-dimensional deformities. This article briefly reviews the indications for surgery procedures to be performed in these patients, highlighting when to use aggressive and non-aggressive approaches.