Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone

Fibrous Dysplasia is a bone disorder that results in thinning of the bone. It is also responsible for the growth of lesions within the bones and sometimes even leads to scar formation in the bones. Fibrous Dysplasia also causes weakening of the bones, so it is really important to understand the symptoms of this disorder in order to detect the problem as soon as possible and then undergo treatment as early as possible. This disorder is also known as bone lesions or bone thinning.

Types of Fibrous Dysplasia

Basically there are two types of fibrous dysplasia: monostotic fibrous dysplasia and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. In monostotic fibrous dysplasia, only a single bone is involved or the adjacent bones are involved like the upper and lower jaw, whereas in the case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia several bones are involved. Irrespective of the type, fibrous tissue develops within the bone and with the growth of the bone; the soft tissue also grows resulting in the bone becoming weak. Finally the bone becomes extremely weak and the person gets susceptible to fracture. This disorder begins before birth; however its presence can only be felt after childhood or adolescence age. Gene mutation is main reason behind the growth of abnormal fibrous bone. Fibrous dysplasia isn’t limited to any single bone in particular and can occur in any bone; however it is mainly seen in the thighbone, upper arm bone, pelvis, skull and the shinbone. The polyostotic form of this disorder is extremely severe as it involves multiple bones and is discovered earlier as compared to monostotic fibrous dysplasia. The most severe and harmful form of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia is commonly known as McCune-Albright syndrome. In the case of McCune-Albright syndrome, abnormality not only occurs in the bone cells but also occurs in the gland cells. This majorly leads to hormonal abnormalities and is extremely rare.

Fibrous Dysplasia Causes

Fibrous Dysplasia causes are totally unknown as it is a very rare disease. The only cause known is gene mutation; however the reason behind gene mutation is still unknown. So as a result there is hardly any information related to the cause and cure of this bone disorder. Like sexually transmitted diseases, this disease isn’t inherited and doesn’t pass on from the parents to the child. It’s not even limited to any particular sex and occurs equally among both males and females.

Bone Diseases and Disorders

These days bone diseases and disorders are on an exponential rise, so it is extremely important to study about them. There are several bone diseases like leukemia, bursitis, osteoporosis, sprains, fractures, spina bifida, scurvy, arthritis, scoliosis, talipes equinovarus, tendinitis, kyphosis, poliomyelitis and fibrous dysplasia. The bone disorders aren’t limited to only the ones specified above, but these are the most common bone diseases found these days. Some of these disorders are quite severe while some are not so severe; however one thing common with all of them is that the medical causes of bone diseases are still not fully known.

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