Treatment Options For Rickets

Surgery

Whether or not surgery is required to treat rickets depends on the individual and the severity of their deformity, as well as other factors. For example, some patients who have rickets may only need braces or other simpler medical interventions. For other individuals born with rickets or who develop osteomalacia through a lack of vitamin D and calcium, inherited the condition, or through some other health issue, corrective procedures might be necessary. Individuals who have rickets often have severely bowed legs that can make walking or just standing difficult and painful. They may also have other skeletal abnormalities that make corrective surgery a necessity. National Center for Biotechnology Information representatives assert surgery can greatly improve lower limb deformities regardless of the specific technique used. However, the representatives also suggest osteomalacia patients may find these deformities also recur. Orthopedic surgeons may use a number of methods to correct bone deformities caused by rickets.

Keep reading to reveal more information about treating rickets.

Sun Exposure

Exposure to direct sunlight is, arguably, the most accessible and inexpensive source of vitamin D. Granted, sun exposure alone will not supply an individual with enough vitamin D to meet their recommended daily intake. However, it does promote bone health. So how much direct sunlight should an individual get each day to contribute to their daily vitamin D intake? It actually depends on pigmentation and skin type. For example, olive and darker skinned individuals will need more exposure to direct sunlight than fair-skinned individuals. Age and wardrobe are other factors to consider as well. Thankfully, there are many sunlight charts indicating how much sun exposure an individual should aim for each day based on age and pigmentation. Of course, spending a specific amount of time outdoors every day may not be possible for some individuals based on their location, job obligations, physical limitations, and other factors. This is why making sure you get sufficient vitamin D and calcium in your diet every day is so important.