Diagnosis

Osteomalacia can be difficult to diagnose. To pinpoint the cause and to rule out other bone disorders, such as osteoporosis, you might undergo one or more of the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests. These help detect low levels of vitamin D and problems with calcium and phosphorus.
• X-rays. Structural changes and slight cracks in your bones that are visible on X-rays are characteristic of osteomalacia.
• Bone biopsy. Using general anesthesia, a surgeon inserts a slender needle through your skin and into your pelvic bone above the hip to withdraw a small sample of bone. Although a bone biopsy is accurate in detecting osteomalacia, it's rarely needed to make the diagnosis.