Metabolic bone diseases are disorders of bone strength, usually caused by abnormalities of minerals (such as calcium or phosphorus), vitamin D, bone mass or bone structure. The most common metabolic bone disorder is osteoporosis. When untreated, it can lead to fragility fractures, bone deformities and serious disability. Those at high-risk for osteoporosis include older patients, those with small body size, a history of fractures, those who use steroid, have intestinal diseases, have had organ transplants or have kidney disorders. Men and women of all ages may suffer from skeletal disorders. The most common include osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget’s disease and parathyroid disorders.

The Metabolic Bone Clinic at ROH is an ancillary clinic, supporting other clinics within the hospital.

Conditions and health issues treated in the metabolic bone clinic and wider MSK service include:

• Osteoporosis
• Low bone density
• Fragility fractures
• Vertebral fracture prevention
• Fracture prevention
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Paget's disease
• Osteomalacia
• Brown tumours
• Hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Rare bone diseases
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Raised alkaline phosphatase
• Hypophosphataemia and hypophosphatasia
• Endocrine-related bone diseases.