Skeletal complications following renal transplantation

The occurrence of skeletal complications was examined in a series of 204 renal graft recipients who had maintained graft function for more than 12 months. Osteonecrosis was observed in 22 of the patient (11 per cent) from 5 to 46 months after the transplant operation. The lesions were often multifocal, with as many as 40 joints affected. The most common site was the femoral head, necrosis of which was recorded in 24 instances. The lesions here present a major clinical problem, and total hip replacement was deemed necessary in 4 cases, in all of which an excellent result was achieved. Fractures had occurred after the transplantation in 53 patients (26 per cent), against only 6 before the operation. A total of 109 fractures had been sustained after periods ranging from 1 to 58 months, the most common site being the pelvic bones. The fractures were treated according to standard principles; no complications were encountered. The skeletal complications were equally common among the males and females; they tended to occur at advanced ages. They occurred to roughly the same extent whether the graft was from a related or a cadaveric donor and whether the patient had received one or more grafts.