Rickets Treatment
Treatment for bone softening and deformity due to rickets.
Rickets is a condition in growing children where bones become soft and weak, most often due to a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Because it affects bone while it is still developing, untreated rickets can lead to lasting bone deformities, but with timely treatment of the underlying deficiency, bones generally respond well and deformities can improve significantly.
Types
Nutritional Rickets
The most common form, caused by insufficient vitamin D or calcium in the diet, or inadequate sun exposure.
Vitamin D-Resistant Rickets
A rarer, genetic form where the body cannot properly use vitamin D, so standard supplementation alone is not enough.
Renal Rickets
Rickets caused by underlying kidney disease affecting the body's ability to regulate calcium and phosphate.
Hypophosphatemic Rickets
A genetic condition causing abnormally low phosphate levels, leading to bone softening despite normal vitamin D.
Common Causes
Rickets develops when a growing child's bones do not receive enough of the minerals needed to harden and strengthen normally.
- Vitamin D deficiency - inadequate sun exposure or dietary intake, the most common cause worldwide.
- Calcium or phosphate deficiency - insufficient dietary intake of these minerals during a period of rapid bone growth.
- Malabsorption conditions - digestive conditions that prevent proper absorption of vitamin D or calcium from food.
- Kidney disease - certain kidney conditions disrupt the body's ability to activate vitamin D or retain phosphate.
- Genetic conditions - rare inherited disorders that affect how the body processes vitamin D or phosphate, regardless of diet.
Signs and Symptoms
- Bowing of the legs or knock-knees as the child begins walking
- Delayed growth or unusually short stature for age
- Bone pain or tenderness, particularly in the legs
- Widened wrists or ankles
- Softening of the skull noticeable in infants
- Dental problems, including delayed tooth eruption
Diagnosis
Diagnosis combines a clinical examination with blood tests checking vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate levels, along with an X-ray to assess the characteristic changes rickets causes in growing bone. Further tests may be needed if a kidney condition or a genetic form of rickets is suspected rather than a straightforward nutritional deficiency.
Treatment Approach
Treatment centres on correcting the underlying deficiency, most often with vitamin D and calcium supplementation, alongside dietary changes and safe sun exposure guidance. Most bone deformities improve substantially as the deficiency is corrected and the child continues to grow, particularly if treatment starts early. In cases with significant bone deformity that does not correct with treatment of the underlying deficiency, or in resistant genetic forms, corrective surgery may be considered once the underlying condition is under control. Dr. K. G. Gopalakrishna coordinates the orthopaedic side of care alongside management of the underlying deficiency.
Please note: This page is for general information only and does not replace a proper medical evaluation. Every case is different, and the underlying cause of your symptoms may not match what is described here. Please do not use this page to self-diagnose - consult Dr. K. G. Gopalakrishna or another qualified orthopaedic specialist for an accurate diagnosis specific to you.
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Last reviewed: August 2026