Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to soften due to a deficiency of vitamin D or a problem with the body's ability to break down and use this vitamin. This can lead to bone pain, muscle weakness, and increased risk of fractures.

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Severe Osteomalacia Related to Long-Term Intravenous Drug Abuse P04 radiograph of distal femurs

Causes

The most common cause of osteomalacia is a deficiency of vitamin D, which is essential for the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from the diet. This deficiency can be due to a lack of exposure to sunlight, which the body needs to produce vitamin D, or a diet that is low in this vitamin. Other causes can include certain medical conditions that affect the body's ability to break down and use vitamin D, such as kidney disease and certain genetic disorders.

Symptoms

The symptoms of osteomalacia can vary, but may include bone pain, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking. The pain is often worse at night or when the bones are pressed. Other symptoms can include fractures that occur easily, a waddling walk, and numbness around the mouth or in the arms and legs.

Rickets USNLM

Diagnosis

Osteomalacia is diagnosed through a combination of physical exams, medical history, and tests. These tests can include blood tests to measure levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, and X-rays or other imaging tests to look for changes in the bones. A bone biopsy may also be done.

Treatment

Treatment for osteomalacia focuses on correcting the underlying cause of the condition. This can include increasing exposure to sunlight, changing the diet to include more vitamin D, or taking vitamin D supplements. In some cases, treatment may also include taking additional supplements of calcium and phosphorus, or treating any underlying medical conditions that are causing the problem.

See also

• Rickets
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Bone disease

Osteomalacia Resources
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