Types of Bone Disorder

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is a loss of mineral part of the bone and thinning and disintegration of the spongy part of the bone. All this leads to propensity of the bone to break. Fractures (breaks) of the hip or spine are main complications but other bones are affected, too. Osteoporosis treatment is aimed to prevent fractures. Osteoporosis is much more common in females than in males because bone minerals are lost very fast 3-8 years after menopause.

Treatment with bisphosphonate medications increases bone density and strength by slowing down bone resorption in osteoporosis. These medications need to be taken for several years (usually once a week) to combat the spread of osteoporosis. Taking enough calcium and vitamin D as well as regular exercise also helps prevent fractures. Severity of the osteoporosis is determined by bone densitometry (see below).

Osteopenia

Basically the same condition as osteoporosis just of milder degree. Individuals who are currently losing bone (determined by blood tests or densitometry) or have risk factors for further bone thinning should be treated with same medications as people who already have osteoporosis, just with lower doses (goal is to prevent further bone loss).

Osteomalacia

A bone condition similar to osteoporosis caused by prolonged and severe vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is very important for absorption of calcium from guts into the blood stream. Low blood level of vitamin D causes not enough calcium to be available for rebuilding the skeleton (rebuilding occurs throughout the life). This leads to poorly calcified bone, much like in osteoporosis. Symptoms of diffuse bone and muscle achingmay develop and in severe cases lead to fractures of the bone. However, most patients have a mild form and are basically without symptoms. Diagnosis is usually made during the investigation of low bone density obtained by DEXA (see below).

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

A condition different from osteoporosis in which part of the skeleton (sometime just one bone) suffers from greatly increased and irregular remodeling. Bone affected with the disease is thickened but weak. Irregular bone structure is easily visible on x-rays. Patients may have pain in the affected bone or pain from the compression if nearby nerves (at times pain may be severe). Deformations of weight bearing bones can be seen when affected with Paget’s. Cause of the disease is currently unknown but some viruses have been suspected.

Treatment consist of bisphosphonates (same medications used for osteoporosis and osteopenia but in higher doses) and pain management. Sometimes, corrective surgeries are necessary to improve function of the affected bone.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis refers to a bacterial bone infection, which can either be acute or chronic. An estimated 50,000 cases of osteomyelitis occur annually in the US, according to Epocrates. Symptoms may include localized bone pain, tenderness, redness and swelling as well as possible fever and chills. Antibiotics are the primary treatment. In some cases, surgery is need to remove infected bone tissue.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disease characterized by brittle bones that fracture easily. With each of the 8 types of osteogenesis imperfecta, a defective gene leads to impaired production of collagen, a structural protein necessary for normal bone formation. Osteogenesis imperfecta is typically diagnosed in childhood and affects an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 people in the US, according to the National Institutes of Health. The signs and symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta vary and may include short stature, loose joints, muscle weakness, spinal curvature, brittle teeth, bone deformity, barrel-shaped chest, hearing loss and a blue or gray tint to the whites of the eyes.

Osteonecrosis

With osteonecrosis, loss of blood supply causes death of bone tissue. The disease most commonly affects the head of the thighbone, or femoral head. The shoulder, knee, wrist or ankle bones can also be affected. An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people in the US are diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the femoral head each year, as reported in a September 2015 article in the "World Journal of Orthpedics." Most cases of osteonecrosis occur due to bone trauma, such as a hip fracture or dislocation. People with this condition typically develop gradually progressive bone pain. Small areas of osteonecrosis may heal without treatment. For larger bone lesions, treatment may include medication, physical therapy and/or surgery. Total joint replacement is performed if the bone collapses.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a rare childhood bone disorder similar to osteonecrosis of the femoral head in adults. With this condition, however, the bone typically regenerates in 6 to 24 months.

Bone Tumors

Most tumors that arise in the bones are noncancerous. The number of people affected by these tumors is unknown as they often cause no symptoms and remain undetected. Cancerous bone tumors are relatively uncommon with an estimated 3,260 new cases per year, according to a 2017 American Cancer Society report. The most common bone cancer is osteosarcoma, which primarily affects children, adolescents and young adults. Metastatic bone cancer, with which cancer from another area of the body spreads to one or more bones, occurs far more frequently. Several of the most common types of cancer often spread to the bones, including lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer. Bone pain and tenderness are common symptoms. Fractures may occur when normal bone is replaced by cancer cells. Treatment for bone tumors depends on the type, size, location and other factors.

Rickets and Osteomalacia bone tumors,

Osteomalacia and rickets are characterized by defective mineralization of the bones, which cause them to be soft and fragile. Rickets affects children and osteomalacia affects adults. These diseases can be caused by a nutritional vitamin D deficiency, or impaired intestinal absorption or metabolism of the vitamin. Children with rickets typically experience stunted growth and bowing of the leg bones. Symptoms common with both rickets and osteomalacia include widespread bone pain and tenderness, and muscle weaknsourcesess. Treatment typically includes vitamin D supplementation and possibly other therapies, depending on the underlying cause.

credit/sources: https://www.livestrong.com/article/119479-top-ten-bone-diseases/

Note: All information are credited tot the original writer's source and references.