Osteomalacia

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Osteomalacia refers to a marked softening of your bones, most often caused by severe vitamin D deficiency. The softened bones of children and young adults with osteomalacia can lead to bowing during growth, especially in weight-bearing bones of the legs. Osteomalacia in older adults can lead to fractures.

Osteomalacia differs from the more-common condition of having a low vitamin D level. Osteomalacia also differs from osteoporosis, which causes bone thinning.

Treatment for osteomalacia involves providing enough vitamin D and calcium, both required to harden and strengthen (mineralize) bones, and treating underlying disorders that might cause the condition.

When osteomalacia is in its early stages, you might not have any symptoms, although signs of osteomalacia may be apparent on an X-ray or other diagnostic tests. As osteomalacia progresses, you might develop bone pain and muscle weakness.

The dull, aching pain associated with osteomalacia most commonly affects the lower back, pelvis, hips, legs and ribs. The pain might be worse at night, or when you put pressure on the bones, and are rarely relieved completely by rest.

Decreased muscle tone and leg weakness can cause a waddling gait and make walking slower and more difficult.

Osteomalacia results from a defect in the bone-maturing process. Your body uses the minerals calcium and phosphate to help build strong bones. You might develop osteomalacia if you don’t get enough of these minerals in your diet or if your body doesn’t absorb them properly. These problems can be caused by:

The risk of developing osteomalacia is highest in people who have both inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D and little exposure to sunlight, such as older adults and those who are housebound or hospitalized.

If you have osteomalacia, you’re more likely to break bones, particularly those in your ribs, spine and legs.

Osteomalacia caused by inadequate sun exposure or a diet low in vitamin D often can be prevented by getting enough vitamin D.

Unprotected sun exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer. There’s no consensus among experts about what amount of sun exposure is safe and enough to prevent or treat osteomalacia.

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Don Varney’s bones were breaking, and no one could tell him why. But after being diagnosed with of a rare form of vitamin D deficiency triggered by a hard-to-detect tumor and then undergoing surgery to remove it, Don has returned to his active, athletic ways. Written by Don Varney My wife of 20 years, Yvonne, […]

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Osteomalacia

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