Immobilization hypercalcemia: a case report and review of the literature

A 17-year-old girl was immobilized in traction for 3 months and in a spica cast for 6 weeks for fractures of the femur and pelvis. Seven weeks after injury and after her acute renal failure had resolved, serum calcium rose and remained elevated for the duration of her immobilization. Conservative treatment by hydration, diuresis, and later tilttable therapy failed to relieve her hypercalcemia. Only after mobilization did the serum calcium levels return to normal and the symptoms abate. Administration of recently developed medical methods of management of hypercalcemia may have prevented this complication.