Musculoskeletal and Neurologic System
Patients who have undergone renal transplant may develop some complications in future such as low back pain and other abnormal lab values like the elevation of serum calcium levels, decreased hemoglobin as well as decreased hematocrit of the patient’s CBC. The 58-year woman showed the above signs, and the main cause of these completions is the gradual decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) after the transplant. Bone mineral density is the measure of the amount of minerals like calcium in a patient’s bones. It usually occurs in older people, children, and patients who have undergone a renal transplant. For patients who have undergone renal transplantation, it may start after twelve months of a successful transplant and persist for many years, although at a lower rate like in the 58- year old woman who had undergone renal transplant six years ago. The gradual decrease of BMD leads to an increased risk of bone fracture in renal transplant patients (Mayo Clinic, 2019). The fact that the woman has low back pain may also as a result of kidney issues like kidney stones or secondary cancer, which is a side effect of anti-rejection medications (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
This patient should undergo complete kidney testing, which would include a complete metabolic panel, a Renal US, and a UA. These workups would test kidney stones, and if they prove that the kidney is normal, then a cancer workup should be done to determine if the woman had developed secondary cancer due to anti-rejection medications (Mayo Clinic, 2019). If both kidney and cancer workups prove to be normal, then the woman’s age should be considered in that her symptoms are an indication of osteoporosis.
Several interventions can be done on patients who have undergone a renal transplant. To prevent bone loss after renal transplant, vitamin D metabolites, and bisphosphonates can be given to the patient (National Kidney Foundation, 2015). Additionally, finding and treating infections for the patients is the best intervention to keep the transplanted kidney healthy. The administration of vaccines and general hygiene are also vital to deal with post-transplant complications (National Kidney Foundation, 2015).