What is osteomalacia?

Osteomalacia means "soft bones." It is a disease that makes bones weaker and more likely to break. It is a condition of decreased mineralization, meaning that the bone breaks down faster than it can re-form. Osteomalacia affects adults, but inadequate concentrations of vitamin D can cause rickets in children.

What are the symptoms of osteomalacia?

As such, the primary symptoms of osteomalacia are pain in the bones and hips, fractures of the bones, and general weakness of muscles. Furthermore, the patient may also experience some problems walking.

What is the cause of osteomalacia?

Osteomalacia results most commonly from a vitamin D deficiency (most often due to lack of exposure to enough sunlight) or, less commonly, from some disorder of the digestive system or kidneys. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and normal bone health. These disorders can impair the body's mechanisms for absorbing vitamins. There are also some very rare, genetically determined conditions that cause osteomalacia.

How is osteomalacia diagnosed?

Several tests can be done to determine whether or not a person has osteomalacia.

The most common presentation is low vitamin D levels, but lower than normal calcium levels or a significant drop in the phosphate levels will also diagnose osteomalacia. X-rays can be performed to determine if there is any evidence of osteomalacia.

A bone mineral density scan may help determine the degree to which calcium and other minerals become deposited in a specific portion of one's bone. Such scans are not required to diagnose osteomalacia, but they can offer crucial information about bone health.

Sometimes, the physician may decide to do a bone biopsy; here, the physician takes an extract of tissue from a bone and then studies it.

How is osteomalacia treated?

In addition, vitamin D, calcium or phosphate supplementations are prescribed to osteomalacia patients, depending on a case-by-case basis. For example, some patients with intestinal malabsorption-conditions wherein the intestines cannot digest appropriate amounts of nutrients or vitamins-will require more vitamin D and calcium.

Other treatment options to alleviate or reverse the osteomalacia symptoms include the following:

Wearers of orthotic braces to minimize or control irregular bone formations
Undergo surgical interventions to fix bone deformities (severe conditions only)
Proper exposure to sunlight

What are the complications of osteomalacia?

If the cause of your osteomalacia is not treated, this can result in several complications. Adults experience brittle bones; they may fracture easily in the rib, leg, or spine.

In children, osteomalacia and rickets frequently co-exist, and so can lead to bowing in of the legs or premature tooth loss.

It's worth mentioning that osteomalacia will likely recur if you stop taking vitamin D supplements or if other diseases such as renal failure are not treated.

You may experience improvement within a few weeks if your vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels are supplemented. Recovery of bones entirely may take several months to even one year.

How to prevent Osteomalacia?

Eating a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium and receiving adequate sun exposure may prevent osteomalacia caused by vitamin D deficiency.

When to call a doctor?

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of osteomalacia or if you suspect that you may be at risk for this disorder.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Osteomalacia treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital has the most trusted team of Nephrologists with advanced diagnostic equipment care for Osteomalacia treatment in Lucknow, India. Our Nephrology department follows international safety standards and has years of experience in successfully managing disease and conditions like Osteomalacia.