Getting struck by one of the bone diseases as you age is quite normal these days. We all know that the human body is made up of 200 bones and supporting joints and soft tissues. Among all structures present in the body, the spine structure is quite vulnerable to diseases. Some diseases are genetic means not completely treatable while others are preventable with proper care and attention (like diet and exercise). An expert orthopedic in Specialty Care Clinics provide the appropriate treatment for bone-related conditions under given circumstances. Recognizing early warning signs for possible bone disease can really be helpful.
Osteoporosis
Affecting 54 million Americans, also called an American epidemic. It is the most common form of bone disease. It is caused by accelerated bone loss that happens faster than the regeneration or remodeling of bones. Among the people most affected by it- are women after menopause and elderly people above the age of 70. It causes symptoms like back pain due to fractures or collapsed vertebrae, visible loss of height, issues related to posture, and frequent spine or joint fractures.
Get the bone density diagnosis at Specialty Care Clinics, as 70% of fractures affecting the spine are painless and it is important to understand the disease early.
Osteoarthritis
Almost 30 million people get affected by osteoarthritis in the U.S. When connective bone tissues known as cartilage start wearing away prematurely causing inflammation and nerve irritation leading to further nerve pain. Because of increased friction, the cartilage wears quickly causing weakness in bones and joints. Issues related to this are spine weakness, bone spurs, spinal joint fractures, and herniation.
Paget’s disease
It also ranks third after osteoarthritis as the most prevalent bone disease in the United States. Paget’s disease affects the process of bone recycling causing too much bone growth that results in nerve irritation and fractures. Extra bone growth adds inferior-quality bone tissues that are prone to fractures. It also affects the bones in the skull, legs, and pelvis. Paget’s disease often occurs in men and also contributes towards :
- Added bone weight causes osteoarthritis
- Bone deformities
- Bone cancer (only 1% of Paget’s patient get affected by it)
Osteomalacia
When the bone structure is unable to receive enough vitamin D or calcium from diets and sunlight. Osteomalacia is also referred to as soft bone disease and rickets (when occurs during childhood). Weakened bones or soft bones affect the growth year in children while adults become prone to fractures.
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a brittle bone disease, consisting of a group of eight rare genetic disorders. Results in the easy development of fractures without a clear reason. People with OI have defects in genes that control how the body produces collagen. Collagen is a type of connective tissue that forms 90% of the bone matrix, the fibers that bind your bones together.
Some forms of OI can be fatal at birth. However, people with Type 1 OI (mildest subtype) often lead an active and healthy lifestyle. The severity depends on the classification of the OI system. The symptoms of the mildest form of OI can be seen as :
- Muscle weakness and loose joints
- Abnormal spinal curvature
- Susceptibility to fractures, especially prior to puberty
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer affecting your white blood cells. It attacks WBC with foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. Under this condition, abnormal cells develop in the bone marrow and start affecting crucial white blood cells. Because of this, generated irregular cells result in tumors in the spine.
The backbone is also considered a common location for the second tumor as it is closer to other areas where initiation of the first tumor usually takes place such as the lungs and kidneys. You can identify plasma cell cancer with these signs:
- Weakened bone
- General fatigue
- Anemia
- Increased instances of anemia
When the bone disease starts impacting your neck and back and ultimately results in chronic pain then surgery becomes a necessity.
Maintaining healthy bone structure from an early age is essential to keep on living a disease-free lifestyle. To book an appointment at Specialty Care Clinics call (469) 545-9983 for bone disease treatment.