Best Rickets Doctors in Chennai

Rickets is a bone-weakening condition, primarily caused by deficiencies of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. These deficiencies lead to the softening of the skeletal structure, making bones prone to fractures and deformities. Inadequate sun exposure, poor dietary habits or malabsorption disorders can contribute to vitamin D deficiency, while genetic disorders or chronic kidney disease can result in phosphate deficiencies.

At Apollo Hospitals, Chennai we have some of the best doctors for hypophosphatemic rickets and nutritional rickets frontiers doctors who provide expert diagnosis and treatment for these conditions.

Types/Stages of Rickets

Rickets is mainly categorised into three types:

• Nutritional Rickets: Resulting from a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium or phosphate.

• Hypophosphatemic Rickets: Caused by genetic disorders that affect phosphate regulation.

• Renal Rickets: A consequence of chronic kidney disease impairing vitamin D and phosphate metabolism.

Symptoms of Rickets

Individuals suffering from rickets might experience:

• Bone pain and tenderness.

• Observable skeletal deformities such as bowed legs, knock-knees or a curved spine.

• Delayed growth and development.

• Muscle weakness.

• In more severe cases, seizures could occur.

Tests to Diagnose Rickets

To confirm a diagnosis of rickets at Apollo Hospitals:

• Blood Tests: Assessing levels of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase.

• Arterial Blood Gas Analysis: To monitor acid-base balance and gas exchange.

• X-rays: Helps visualise skeletal deformities, a common feature of rickets.

• Bone Density Tests: Detailed assessment of the bone condition.

• Genetic Testing: Particularly for hypophosphatemic rickets to identify any genetic disorders.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Rickets at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

At Apollo Hospitals, we are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and the best doctors to provide comprehensive treatment options for rickets:

• Vitamin D Supplements: High-dose supplements are prescribed for those with vitamin D deficiency.

• Dietary Changes & Supplements: Recommended for those with calcium or phosphate deficiencies.

• Medications: Used to regulate phosphate and vitamin D levels, especially for genetic or kidney-related forms of rickets.

• Surgical Interventions: Severe or persistent cases may require surgery like osteotomy (reshaping of deformed bones) or epiphysiodesis (slowing of bone growth to correct deformities).

Our team of dedicated doctors and rickets and osteomalacia surgeons is committed to restoring normal bone health and preventing long-term complications associated with rickets.