Radiological study of bone changes in the foot in chronic renal insufficiency

The authors report the results of a radiological evaluation of the foot in 18 patients affected with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). After discussing the bone changes considered to be "typical" of renal osteodystrophy, they analyse the trabecular system, in which they distinguish three degrees of change. If these finer changes are taken into account a high incidence of bony alteration is observed in CRI (84%). The biomechanics and static stresses of the foot are discussed, based on the presupposition that the anatomofunctional features of this part of the skeletal system could influence the grade and progression of the bony alterations. However, no such association was observed, nor was there any correlation between the radiographic changes and the clinical symptomatology.