Osteomalacia

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Indications

• Diffuse (not pinpointed to one location) bone pain, especially in the hips
• Muscle weakness
• Bone fractures that happen with very little trauma

Symptoms associated with low calcium including:

• Numbness around the mouth
• Numbness of extremities
• Spasms of hands or feet
• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Bone biopsy shows osteomalacia.
• Serum vitamin D level may be low.
• Serum calcium levels vary with the cause of the disorder.
• Serum phosphate levels vary with the cause of the disorder.
• Bone x-ray may show features of osteomalacia (such as bowing of the legs or “pseudofractures").
• Bone mineral density scan (DEXA) may show reduced bone density, a sign of weaker bones.

Other tests may be done to determine if there is a renal problem or any other underlying disorder. These tests include:

• PTH
• Calcium (ionized)
• ALP (alkaline phosphatase) isoenzyme

Review Date: 08/08/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network