Osteomalacia

Question 1

What is osteomalacia?

Answer 1

Softening of the bones secondary to low vitamin D levels

Question 2

What are the causes of osteomalacia?

Answer 2

Vitamin D deficiency
- Malabsorption
- Lack of sunlight
- Diet
CKD
Drug induced
Inherited - hypophosphataemic rickets
Liver disease
Coeliac disease

Question 3

What are the features of osteomalacia?

Answer 3

Bone pain
Bone/muscle tenderness
Fractures (especially femoral neck)
Proximal myopathy leading to waddling gait

Question 4

What investigations are carried out to diagnose osteomalacia?

Answer 4

Bloods
- Low vitamin D levels
- Low calcium and phosphate
- Raised ALP
XR
- Translucent bands