Osteonecrosis in kidney recipients: has hypocalcaemia a role?

In a previous study, the musculoskeletal affections among kidney recipients (KR) were reported, with 63 KR suffering from joint affections. We sought to determine the prevalence of osteonecrosis (ON) among those KR with joint affections, its distribution among the affected joints, and possible risk predictors. KR were subjected to biochemical, haematological, and hepatitis serology estimations. Radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. Relevant data were retrieved from Patient Information System. Fourteen KR were suffering from ON, with an incidence of 22.2% in KR with joint affections and 12.0% in the target population of KR. The femoral head was affected in 57.1% and the femoral condyles in 28.6%. Hypocalcaemia was observed in KR with ON. Whether hypocalcaemia is a causative or associative of ON yet remains to be decided in forthcoming studies.