Bone diseases

Reviewed by Jessica Muñoz, Jessica Muñoz is a registered nurse and educator with 20 years of experience in critical care emergency nursing, specializing in patient care, education, and evidence-based practice. She holds multiple certifications and serves as a Patient Safety Coordinator.

Our bones facilitate movement, support our bodies, and allow us to maintain proper posture. Bones are living tissues that continually regenerate throughout our lives. During childhood and adolescence, our bodies generate new bone tissue at a faster rate than they break down old tissue. However, after the age of 20, bone loss can outpace the formation of new bone tissue. To promote strong bones in youth and prevent bone loss in later years, it is essential to ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, engage in regular exercise, and refrain from smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of bone disease can differ depending on the condition, and sometimes there will be no symptoms. For instance, osteoporosis is a silent bone disease that usually has no symptoms until a bone is damaged.

Generally, there are no symptoms of bone disease, but if they do occur, they can include: Infections

• Joint pain
• Back pain
• Bone pain
• Fracture from low-impact, low-energy activity
• Weakness
• Sprains

One may also have symptoms specific to a type of bone disease. For instance, someone with osteomyelitis may have swelling, redness, and warmth at the site of injection.

Someone with bone cancer may also have some specific symptoms, including fatigue and weight loss, or may have a lump at the site a bone tumor.

Causes and risk factors

Many factors can result in bone disease. Some are specific to a certain type of bone disease. The risk factors can include:

• Genetics: One may have a greater risk of developing a certain type of bone disease owing to a mutation or change in a gene or a family history of bone disease. One can inherit a gene mutation from either parent.
• Aging: As we age, the mineral content of our bones starts decreasing, resulting in bones becoming less dense and more vulnerable to fractures.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet is essential for having strong and healthy bones. Especially need to consume enough amount of vitamin D and calcium to prevent bone disease.
• Problems related to bone remodeling: One may experience imbalances where the body breaks down older bone tissues faster than it replacuing them with new ones. This can lead to a loss of bone strength and quality.
• Hormonal changes: Imbalances of certain hormones can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. For instance, low estrogen levels during menopause or low levels of testosterone can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• Medications: Certain medications can enhance the risk of bone diseases. For instance, thyroid medicines, corticosteroids, and drugs used to reduce levels of sex hormones can affect bone health adversely.
• Lifestyle factors: Various lifestyle factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and low levels of physical exercise can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Diagnosis

Only a qualified doctor can assist in diagnosing a bone disease, typically beginning by obtaining the patient’s medical history. The doctor may inquire about the duration of the symptoms and whether there is a family history of bone disease.

The doctor can also recommend certain physical tests to ascertain:

• Change in posture
• Change in muscle strength
• Loss of weight or height
• Change in balance or walking style
• Any redness or swelling, as associated with osteomyelitis

The doctor can also recommend the following tests to diagnose the exact type of bone disease:

• X-ray imaging: The most common type of X-ray imaging a doctor can use is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. It passes X-rays with two different energy levels through the bone to measure calcium and other minerals.
• MRI scans: A magnet is used in this test to create an image of the body and provide detailed images of bones and other tissues, including ligaments and cartilage.
• Blood tests: Used to determine the prevalence of cancer and seek information on its present stage.
• Biopsy: A procedure that removes a small amount of bone tissue from the affected site to examine it under a microscope to get an accurate diagnostic result.

Treatment

The best treatment option will depend on the type and severity of the bone disease. For instance, if there is osteoporosis or osteopenia, the treatment will be aimed at stopping further bone loss and preventing more fractures. As such treatment can include:

• Providing nutritional guidance
• Suggesting measures to reduce the risk of falls and avoid fractures
• Recommending lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and taking up moderate physical activity regularly
• Prescribing suitable medication

Certain conditions don’t presently have effective treatments, such as Osteopgenesis Imperfecta (OI). As such the treatment will be aimed to control or prevent symptoms and increase muscle strength and bone mass. People with OI may have physical therapy to enhance muscle strength and mobility in addition to continuing proper medication.

Some bone conditions may need surgery. For instance, someone with osteonecrosis will commonly require surgery to preserve the joints, while someone with a bone tumor will require surgery for its removal.

Those with bone cancer may also require additional treatments. For example, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, depending on the stage of bone cancer.

Conclusion

Bone diseases contain multiple conditions that change the flexibility and strength of bones. Bone diseases can have certain symptoms including difficulty in moving, bone pain, and a greater risk of bone fractures. These conditions can be a result of genetics, hormonal changes, aging, and some nutritional disorders. Various lifestyle factors including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a low level of physical activity can also multiply the risk of bone disease.

A certified doctor can conduct specific tests to accurately diagnose various bone diseases. Following the tests, the doctor can propose an appropriate treatment plan, which may include lifestyle adjustments, medication, or surgical intervention.

Work cited

• Bone Diseases, 2016. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/bonediseases.html
• Office of the Surgeon General (US). Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville (MD): Office of the Surgeon General (US), 2004. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45506/