title: Effect of immobilization on urine calcium excretion in orthopedic patients with pelvic fracture treated by skin traction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects on urine calcium excretion of immobilization by skin traction in patients with pelvic fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, a consecutive series of patients with pelvic fracture treated by skin traction were enrolled. Serum (calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, sodium, potassium, uric acid, BUN, creatinine) and fasting urine calcium, creatinine, sodium, potassium and uric acid were checked within 48 hours of hospitalization and at 7, 14 and 21 days of immobilization and then after 3 months of mobilization. Trends in changes of variables were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty five patients were enrolled in this study; they were 45 (81.8%) males and 10 (18.2%) females with a mean age 19.4 ± 12.7 years. We found that serum levels of calcium (p = 0.004), phosphorous (p = 0.047) and alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.001) increased significantly during the 3 weeks of immobilization. In the same way, urine calcium/ urine creatinine ratio increased significantly in the study period (p = 0.004). No symptomatic renal stone formation was observed during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immobilization even in short term causes hypercalciuria in orthopedic patients. Although it is transient and improves with subsequent mobilization, it is needed to be considered specifically by the team caring for this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz. nima_med83@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Derakhshan
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Derakhshan
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Namazi
authors.forename: Fariborz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghaffarpasand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010758:Phosphorus; D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium