Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is defective mineralization of newly formed bone in adults, leaving bone tissue abnormally soft. It can cause bone pain, muscle weakness, and fractures.

Bone remodeling: Bone remodeling is the lifelong process in which old bone is resorbed and new bone is formed. Osteomalacia develops when newly formed bone in this cycle does not mineralize adequately.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble compounds that regulate calcium and phosphate balance. Deficiency is a common cause of inadequate mineral supply in osteomalacia.
Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D deficiency is an inadequate supply or production of vitamin D for normal bodily needs. It is a frequent, treatable cause of osteomalacia.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is reduced bone mass and structural deterioration that increase fracture risk. Osteoporosis reduces bone quantity; osteomalacia impairs mineralization of newly formed bone.
Proximal muscle weakness: Proximal muscle weakness is reduced strength in muscles close to the trunk, such as those of the hips and shoulders. It can accompany osteomalacia and make rising or climbing stairs difficult.
Bone mineralization: Bone mineralization is the deposition of calcium-phosphate crystals into the organic matrix of bone. This is the step that fails in osteomalacia, leaving excess unmineralized matrix.
Calcium: Calcium is an essential mineral used in bone, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and other physiological functions. Low calcium availability can impair the mineralization of newly formed bone.
Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia is defective bone mineralization caused by persistently low blood phosphate. This subtype directs evaluation toward renal phosphate loss and phosphate-regulating hormones.
Rickets: Rickets is defective mineralization of growing bone in children, often affecting growth plates. It is the childhood counterpart to osteomalacia, which affects mature skeletons.
Insufficiency fracture: An insufficiency fracture occurs when weakened bone breaks under ordinary physiological stress. Poorly mineralized bone may fracture without major trauma.

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