Rickets and soft bones (osteomalacia)

Overview

Bones get soft from too little vitamin D or calcium.

Rickets is the name in children.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Bone pain

Less common

• Bowed legs in kids
• Muscle weakness

Look up a symptom: Bone loss, or a broken bone from a minor fall · Bone pain that's constant or worse at night, or a lump on a bone or deep in a muscle · Little sun, or told my vitamin D is low · Muscle weakness in arms or legs

When to get medical care

Causes

Low vitamin D.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Dark skin
• Breastfed babies without vitamin D

Diagnosis

A clinician asks about your symptoms and may order tests.

The exam

A physical exam.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Blood tests:
• X-ray:

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and how severe it is.

Self-care

• Vitamin D and calcium
• Some sunlight

Prevention

To lower your risk or catch problems early:

• Vitamin D drops for breastfed babies
• Get vitamin D

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an orthopedist (bone and joint doctor).
• A physical therapist can help with exercises to rebuild strength and motion.

Living with it

Support groups and helplines

• Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD): Free NIH information on rare diseases, including where to find experts and patient groups.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Patient groups, help finding care, and aid programs for rare diseases.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Babies only breastfed: May need vitamin D.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Outlook depends on the cause; early care helps.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• What's causing this?
• What treatment do you recommend?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Rickets and soft bones (osteomalacia)