difference between osteoporosis and osteomalacia - Osteoporosis Message Board

kkl · 03-22-2007, 02:16 PM

I know that osteomalacia is demineralization of the bone. does anyone know if osteomalacia can affect just one bone or would you see it throughout all the bones in your body? I've left several messages with questions for my doctor, but she is not calling me back. Can you have a normal Dexa, but still have osteomalacia?

DesertBloom · 03-22-2007, 03:52 PM

Hi kkl: I'm glad you pushed the issue with the dexa scan, but sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Below is an explanation of the differences between osteoporosis and osteomalacia. I don't know the answer to your other questions, except I thought osteomalacia is usually seen in the legs (bowing) and the hips.

[url]http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sidebars/sb22_1.html[/url]

If you go to the Univ of WA bone physiology course you could get a better explanation of the disorder than the short explanation above. Also if you go to the Home page below you can find out just about all you need about Osteoporosis...

[url]http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/hypercalU/opmal2.html[/url]

Good luck and keep us posted.