Diseases of Excessive Bone Growth
There are several diseases that cause excessive bone growth. According to Ohio State University Medical Center or OSUMC, bone is a living tissue that helps shape and support a person's body and protects numerous organs, and because bone functions are often complex, there are many disorders or diseases that can manifest in a person's bones. Some diseases cause excessive bone growth that can affect a person's quality of life and lead to more serious complications.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a disease associated with excessive bone growth. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases--a division of the National Institutes of Health--acromegaly is a hormonal disorder caused by excessive growth hormone in the body. In a person with acromegaly, the pituitary--an endocrine gland situated at the brain's base--generates abnormal amounts of growth hormone, often due to benign pituitary tumors or adenomas. Other common symptoms associated with acromegaly include joint pain, headaches and impaired vision, among many others. If adenomas cause increased growth hormone during childhood, the disease is known as gigantism instead of acromegaly.
- Acromegaly is a disease associated with excessive bone growth.
- If adenomas cause increased growth hormone during childhood, the disease is known as gigantism instead of acromegaly.
Paget's Disease
What Are the Causes of High Bone Density?
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Paget's disease of bone, or simply Paget's disease, is a disease associated with excessive bone growth. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases or NIAMS--a division of the National Institutes of Health--states that Paget's disease is a chronic condition that can cause bone enlargement and misshapen bones, and that the disease is often localized, affecting only one or several bones 1. Although some people may be unaware that they have Paget's disease--because they do not experience symptoms--others may experience multiple symptoms or complications. Common symptoms associated with Paget's disease include:
- pain that occurs in the affected bone or bones
- headaches
- hearing impairment
- increased head size
- bowed limbs
- increased spinal curvature
- hip pain
- arthritis
According to the NIAMS, Paget's disease most often occurs in a person's spine, pelvis, legs or skull. Paget's disease does not spread to normal, healthy bones.
- Paget's disease of bone, or simply Paget's disease, is a disease associated with excessive bone growth.
- The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases or NIAMS--a division of the National Institutes of Health--states that Paget's disease is a chronic condition that can cause bone enlargement and misshapen bones, and that the disease is often localized, affecting only one or several bones 1.
Melorheostosis
Melorheostosis is a disease associated with excessive bone growth 23. According to the Melorheostosis Association--a not-for-profit organization dedicated to curing melorheostosis--melorheostosis is a rare and progressive disorder that involves hyperostosis or thickening of cortical bone--the dense outer shell of most bones--and that melorheostosis is a development disorder affecting both bone and soft tissue 23. ')3. ')3. X-ray findings for melorheostosis reveal bony growth along cortical bone that resembles melted candle wax flowing down the side of a lit candle 3.
Related Articles
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Paget's Disease of Bone
- Melorheostosis Association: What is Melorheostosis?
- Medcyclopaedia: Melorheostosis
- Paget’s Disease of Bone. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Paget’s Disease of Bone. American College of Rheumatology. 2019.
- Information for People Newly Diagnosed With Paget’s Disease of Bone. National Institutes of Health. 2018.
- Paget’s Disease of Bone and Osteoarthritis: Different Yet Related. National Institutes of Health. 2018.
- Paget’s Disease. Hospital for Special Surgery.
- Paget’s Disease of Bone Overview. National Institutes of Health. 2018.
- Tuck SP, Layfield R, Walker J, Mekkayil B, Francis R. Adult Paget's disease of bone: a review. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017;56(12):2050-2059. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kew430
- How Is Paget’s Disease of Bone Diagnosed?. National Institutes of Health. 2018.
- Vitamin D for Good Bone Health. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Alonso N, Calero-Paniagua I, Del Pino-Montes J. Clinical and Genetic Advances in Paget's Disease of Bone: a Review. Clin Rev Bone Miner Metab. 2016;15(1):37-48. DOI: 10.1007/s12018-016-9226-0
- Galson DL, Roodman GD. Pathobiology of Paget's Disease of Bone. J Bone Metab. 2014;21(2):85-98. DOI: 10.11005/jbm.2014.21.2.85
- Kang H, Park YC, Yang KH. Paget's Disease: Skeletal Manifestations and Effect of Bisphosphonates. J Bone Metab. 2017;24(2):97-103. DOI: 10.11005/jbm.2017.24.2.97
- Merashli M, Jawad A. Paget's Disease of Bone among Various Ethnic Groups. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015;15(1):e22-6.
- Nebot Valenzuela E, Pietschmann P. Epidemiology and pathology of Paget's disease of bone - a review. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2016;167(1-2):2-8. DOI: 10.1007/s10354-016-0496-4
Writer Bio
Martin Hughes is a chiropractic physician, health writer and the co-owner of a website devoted to natural footgear. He writes about health, fitness, diet and lifestyle. Hughes earned his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and his doctoral degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore.