Hypercalcaemia due to immobilization of a patient with Paget's disease of bone

A man with Paget's disease of bone was admitted with a fractured neck of femur. On admission he was normocalcaemic, but with immobilization he rapidly became hypercalcaemic, despite a normal diet and no medication. The hypercalcaemia responded to calcitonin. Although hypercalcaemia is often quoted as complicating the immobilization of such patients, well documented uncomplicated cases have rarely been reported.