Definition:
Fibrous dysplasia is characterized as a type of bone disorder in which case the scar-like tissue gradually develops in place of the bone. So as the bone gets bigger, the fibrous tissue correspondingly expands with it and thereby weakening the bones. This medical condition can result to deformed and brittle bones.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis includes x-ray, CT scans and bone scans as well as bone biopsy.
Treatment:
This bone deformity can be best diagnosed using x-ray as well as to closely monitor the progression every 6 months. If the condition does not progress, patients are not usually required any form of treatment. For severe and progressive fibrous dysplasia, medications usually include alendronate and bisphosphonates, known agents that can effectively inhibit bone breakdown. Surgical procedures may also be performed to correct bone deformities, fix a fracture or removed an affected area of the bone.
Symptoms and Signs:
Fibrous dysplasia normally affects any bone in the patient's body, but most victims don't normally develop signs and symptoms. Among the common affected parts include the ribs, shin and thigh bone, skull, pelvic bones, upper arm bones and humerus. Patients would usually feel bone pain, difficulty in walking and of course, bone deformities.
Causes:
Fibrous dysplasia usually develops before birth, which means in most cases it is congenital. This disease is normally linked with gene mutation that affects the cells that produce bones. No one really knows the exact cause of the mutation, however, it has been established that fibrous dysplasia is not an inherited condition.
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