Definition
Osteomalacia is a bone disease. It causes bones to soften and weaken. Treatment can improve outcomes.
Causes
Vitamin D helps the body use calcium to build bone. The most common cause of osteomalacia is a low level of vitamin D. This may happen due to:
- Not getting enough vitamin D
- The body does not use or absorb vitamin D due to:
- Certain diseases
- Medicines
- Toxins
- Inherited conditions
Risk Factors
The risk of osteomalacia is higher in older adults and those with darker skin. Other things that raise the risk are:
- Living in a nursing or assisted living home
- Not getting enough sunlight
- A diet low in vitamin D
- Obesity
- Conditions that can limit absorption of vitamin D, such as:
- Gastrectomy
- Certain small intestine diseases or surgery
- Celiac disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Seizure medicines
- Paget disease of the bone
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
Symptoms
Osteomalacia often does not cause symptoms. In those that have them, symptoms may be:
- Bone pain
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Problems moving around
The condition can also cause deformed and broken bones.
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Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam may be done.
Tests may include:
- Blood and urine tests
- X-rays
- Bone mineral density test
- Bone scan
- Bone biopsy—when other test results are not clear
This may be enough to make the diagnosis. The doctor may want to do more tests to find the cause.
Treatment
The goal of care is to treat the cause. Problems from osteomalacia also need to be treated.
Options to treat the cause may be:
- A diet rich in vitamin D
- Vitamin D supplements
- Calcium or phosphorus supplements
- Regular sun exposure—in moderate amounts
If medicines caused the condition, they may need to be stopped or changed. Other medicines may be given to treat underlying causes.
Problems due to osteomalacia may also need to be treated. Options may be:
- Braces to reduce or prevent bone deformities
- Surgery to fix bone deformities—in serious cases
Prevention
To risk of osteomalacia may be lowered by:
- A diet rich in vitamin D
- Vitamin D, calcium, and other mineral supplements.
- Regular but moderate sunlight exposure
RESOURCES
Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics https://www.eatright.org
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Dietitians of Canada https://www.dietitians.ca
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Chang SW, Lee HC. Vitamin D and health - The missing vitamin in humans. Pediatr Neonatol. 2019;60(3):237-244.
Hypophosphatemia—approach to the patient. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypophosphatemia-approach-to-the-patient. Accessed August 8, 2021.
Osteomalacia. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Osteomalacia.aspx. Accessed August 8, 2021.
Osteomalacia. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13017-osteomalacia . . Accessed August 8, 2021.
Osteomalacia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/osteomalacia-om. Accessed August 8, 2021.
Vitamin D deficiency in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults. Accessed August 8, 2021.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Dan Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 07/2021
- Update Date: 08/06/2021