[Abnormal bone quality in osteomalacia]

Abstract

The term osteomalacia is defined as impaired mineralization resulting in accumulation of osteoid tissue on bone surface by histological examination. Typical radiographic appearance of osteomalacia is known as the Looser zone, a lucent band adjacent to the preiosteum representing an unhealed insufficiency type stress fracture. This fracture is caused by repeated nonviolent subthreshold mechanical stress. The impaired mineralization in the process of fracture healing as well as the lesser mineralized bone density resulting in the fragility leads to these kind of fractures in this disease. Despite this, these abnormal bone quality can be cured by some therapeutic intervention.