Incidence of osteomalacia in fractures of the proximal end of femur.

Twenty-six cases of fractures of the proximal end of the femur were studied to assess the role of osteomalacia. Biochemical, radiological and histological investigations were carried out in all the cases. Osteomalacia, commonly subclinical, was found to be the underlying cause in 65 per cent of cases. Histological analysis of iliac crest biopsy was the only reliable way of diagnosing subclinical osteomalacia.