Osteomalacia Flashcards
What is osteomalacia?
Poor bone mineralisation leading to soft bone due to lack of calcium in adults
What is rickets?
Inadequate mineralisation of the bone and epiphyseal cartilage in the growing skeleton of children
What usually causes calcium deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency
How does osteomalacia present?
Bone pain and tenderness, dull ache that’s worse on weight bearing, fractures - especially neck of femur, muscle weakness - waddling gait/difficulty with stairs
How does rickets present?
Stunted growth, hypotonia, knock-kneed/bow-legged
What is the first line investigation?
X-ray
What would you see on an X-ray?
Loss of cortical bone due to defective mineralisation
What blood results would you expect?
Low calcium and phosphate
What is the gold standard investigation?
Bone biopsies showing incomplete mineralisation
What is the first line management?
Give vitamin D supplements
What do you give if there’s a dietary calcium deficiency?
Calcium D3 forte
What do you give if there’s malabsorption?
IM calcitriol
What do you give if it’s due to renal disease?
Alfacalcidol
