Adult osteomalacia, unspecified

This code signifies a metabolic bone disease in adults characterized by defective mineralization of newly formed bone matrix, leading to soft and weakened bones. It results from insufficient calcium and phosphate deposition, often due to vitamin D deficiency or impaired vitamin D metabolism.

Assign this code when documentation indicates adult osteomalacia without further specification of its underlying cause or type. This is appropriate when the provider has diagnosed osteomalacia but the specific etiology (e.g., nutritional, renal, drug-induced) is not yet determined or documented.

• Do not use this code if a more specific type of osteomalacia (e.g., nutritional, drug-induced) is documented; always code to the highest level of specificity.
• Consider co-reporting codes for underlying causes, such as vitamin D deficiency (E55.9) or malabsorption syndromes, if documented.
• Distinguish from osteoporosis (M81.-), which involves reduced bone mass and density, not defective mineralization.