It occurs because of a lack of vitamin D or a problem with the body’s ability to break down and use this vitamin, which helps your body absorb calcium. Your body needs calcium to maintain the strength and hardness of your bones.
Causes
Bones that have softened due to osteomalacia have a normal amount of collagen, which gives structure to the bones. However, the bones lack the proper amount of calcium to keep them hard.
There are many causes of osteomalacia. In children, the condition is called rickets. It is most often caused by a low level of vitamin D.
Other conditions that may lead to osteomalacia include:
- Not enough vitamin D in the diet
- Not enough exposure to sunlight, which produces vitamin D in the body
- Malabsorption of vitamin D by the intestines
Factors that interfere with the body’s ability to form vitamin D include:
- Having very little exposure to sunlight
- Shorter days of sunlight
- Smog
- Using very strong sunscreen
Elderly people and people who do not drink milk are at higher risk for osteomalacia.
Other conditions that may cause osteomalacia include:
- Cancer
- Disorders of vitamin D metabolism
- Kidney failure and acidosis
- Lack of enough phosphates in the diet
- Liver disease
- Side effects of medications used to treat seizures
Symptoms
- Bone fractures that happen without a real injury
- Muscle weakness
- Widespread bone pain, especially in the hips
Symptoms may also occur due to low calcium levels. These include:
- Numbness around the mouth
- Numbness of the arms and legs
- Spasms of the hands or feet
Diagnosis
Blood tests will be done to check vitamin D, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, electrolytes, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels.
Bone x-rays and a bone density test can help detect pseudofractures, bone loss, and bone softening.
In some cases, a bone biopsy will be done to see if bone softening is present.
Treatment
Treatment may involve vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus supplements taken by mouth. People who cannot absorb nutrients well through the intestines may need larger doses of vitamin D and calcium.
People with certain conditions may need regular blood tests to monitor blood levels of phosphorus and calcium.
Recovery
Some people with vitamin deficiency disorders will get better within a few weeks. With treatment, healing should happen within 6 months.
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