Five Common Skeletal Diseases

Do you suffer from chronic pain caused by a disease of the bones or joints?  There is likely a cause and a treatment plan available to help you manage or alleviate your pain all together.  As an orthopedic surgeon in Deland, we see many patients who suffer from diseases of the skeletal system.  We offer treatment options, such as medications for pain relief or surgical repairs like bone replacements.  Here are four common skeletal diseases that affect patients of all ages.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common disease that affects tens of millions of Americans, and typically affects women over the age of 50.  This disease causes the loss of bone mass and density, which makes your bones easily susceptible to breaks or fractures.  Unfortunately, osteoporosis degrades your bones progressively over time.  Often times, we find out once our patients accidentally fall or trip and then suffer bone breakage or fracture.  

Paget's Disease

This skeletal disease causes new bone tissue to grow too rapidly, which causes bones to become misshapen or fragile.  This also makes them more susceptible to easy breakage or fractures.  Paget's disease more frequently occurs in older patients and in patients who have the disease in their family history.  It commonly affects the bones in the spine, pelvis, skull, and legs.  Bone pain is the most common complaint in patients with Paget's disease.

Rickets

Rickets, a bone disease that affects children, is the weakening of bones caused by a vitamin D deficiency.  When children have a lack of vitamin D, they are unable to fully absorb calcium and other nutrients essential to building bone density and mass.  This leads to a softening or weakening of the bone structure overall, which can cause easy breaks and fractures.  Typically, when you supplement a child's diet with vitamin D, you will often correct this issue.  

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is often diagnosed early in infancy when physicians notice that the hip socket has not been fully formed around the upper thighbone.  This can cause pain if neglected, because over time the tissue will erode, and bone will be resting on bone.  Hip dysplasia can cause hips to be easily dislocated.  When diagnosed in infancy, hip dysplasia can often be corrected with a soft brace.  However, if detected later in life, it may require surgery to adjust any bones and provide proper movement.

These four diseases of the skeletal system can affect patients of any age, and are generally treatable to different extents.  If you are suffering from a skeletal disease like one of the above, contact an orthopedic surgeon in Deland to get the best patient care and treatment for you.  Call Florida Bone and Joint Specialists today to schedule an appointment with our excellent team of doctors.