Osteomalacia
What is Osteomalacia?
Osteomalacia is soft bones usually caused by a severe lack of vitamin D. Osteomalacia can cause bone pain and muscle weakness.
In children this condition is called rickets.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain felt in the bones, usually in the legs, groin, knees and feet – sometimes a minor knock to a bone will feel more painful than normal.
- Muscle weakness, which usually affects the thighs, shoulders and main trunk of the body.
- Pain caused by slight cracks in the bone (partial fractures) – sometimes these cracks can turn into complete breaks (complete fractures).
As the condition gets worse, pain can be felt in every bone and simple movements can be painful.