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Your doctor may recommend surgery in order to: Surgery may involve removing the bone lesion and replacing it with a bone graft: bone from another part of your body, bone tissue from a donor or a synthetic material. In some cases a fibrous dysplasia lesion may develop again.
What is the treatment for fibrous dysplasia?
Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare condition in which healthy bone is replaced with fibrous bone-like tissue. The disorder causes the affected areas to be more susceptible to fracture. What is fibrous dysplasia (FD)? Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is an uncommon disorder of the skeleton that is rarely cancerous (less than 1 percent).
What is fibrous dysplasia (FD)?
The primary tool for diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia is an X-ray. While bone appears solid in an X-ray, a fibrous dysplasia lesion has a relative distinct appearance often described as "ground glass.". The condition may be diagnosed, therefore, even in a person with no symptoms who is getting an X-ray for other reasons.
How is fibrous dysplasia diagnosed?
Some studies suggest that bisphosphonates may strengthen bones affected by fibrous dysplasia and may relieve bone pain. Your doctor may recommend surgery in order to: Relieve pressure on a nerve, particularly if the lesion is in your skull or face
Do bisphosphonates work for fibrous dysplasia?

What causes fibrous dysplasia?
What causes fibrous dysplasia? The exact cause of fibrous dysplasia is not known. It is believed to be due to a chemical defect in a specific bone protein. This defect may be due to a gene mutation present at birth, although the condition is not known to be passed down in families.
Can you live a normal life with fibrous dysplasia?
Individuals with milder forms of FD often live normal, otherwise healthy lives. The prognosis is as widely variable as the disorder itself, and is based on the bones affected, whether other structures such as nerves are affected, and whether fractures occur.
How is fibrous dysplasia detected?
The primary tool for diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia is an X-ray. While bone appears solid in an X-ray, a fibrous dysplasia lesion has a relative distinct appearance often described as "ground glass." The condition may be diagnosed, therefore, even in a person with no symptoms who is getting an X-ray for other reasons.
Is fibrous dysplasia cancerous?
Fibrous dysplasia is a long-term (chronic) problem in which scarlike tissue grows in place of normal bone. It is not cancer. It often results in one or more of these: Bone deformity.
Is fibrous dysplasia serious?
Complications. Severe fibrous dysplasia can cause: Bone deformity or fracture. The weakened area of an affected bone can cause the bone to bend.
Can fibrous dysplasia be cured?
There is no cure for fibrous dysplasia. The goals for treatment may include: Treating and preventing fractures. Correcting misshapen bones when the bowing is severe.
What doctor treats fibrous dysplasia?
Patients with fibrous dysplasia who consult with their doctors are referred to an experienced orthopedic specialist like Dr. Allison who is best qualified to diagnose and treat the condition. Dr. Allison will order more tests to confirm the diagnosis and ascertain the extent of the disorder.
Is fibrous dysplasia painful?
Pain. As fibrous bone tissue grows and expands, the affected area can become weak and painful. Pain is more likely to occur if the bone affected is one of the weight-bearing bones of the leg or pelvis. Pain caused by fibrous dysplasia generally begins as a dull ache that worsens with activity and lessens with rest.
Can fibrous dysplasia be prevented?
There is no known way to prevent fibrous dysplasia. Treatment aims to prevent complications, such as recurrent bone fractures, to help make the condition less severe.
When does fibrous dysplasia stop growing?
Fibrous dysplasia is a tumor-like disorder of the bone caused by abnormal osteogenesis and its lesions generally stop growing when patients reach adulthood.
Does calcium help fibrous dysplasia?
In open studies, bisphosphonate therapy (pamidronate, alendronate) reduced bone pain associated with fibrous dysplasia of bone and was associated to some radiological improvement. Calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus supplements may be useful in patients with deficiency.
Is fibrous dysplasia a rare disease?
Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare bone disorder. Bone affected by this disorder is replaced by abnormal scar-like (fibrous) connective tissue. This abnormal fibrous tissue weakens the bone, making it abnormally fragile and prone to fracture. Pain may occur in the affected areas.
What is the primary tool for diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia?
The primary tool for diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia is an X-ray. While bone appears solid in an X-ray, a fibrous dysplasia lesion has a relative distinct appearance often described as "ground glass.". The condition may be diagnosed, therefore, even in a person with no symptoms who is getting an X-ray for other reasons.
What happens if you have fibrous dysplasia?
If you have mild fibrous dysplasia that's discovered incidentally and you have no signs or symptoms, your risk of developing deformity or fracturing your bone is low. Your doctor will likely monitor your condition with periodic X-rays.
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis medications called bisphosphonates help prevent bone loss by decreasing the activity of cells that normally dissolve bone. Some studies suggest that bisphosphonates may strengthen bones affected by fibrous dysplasia and may relieve bone pain.
What tests can be used to determine if a bone is deformed?
An X-ray can also help your doctor determine how much of the bone is affected and whether there is any deformity in the bone. Additional tests may be used to confirm a diagnosis or rule out other disorders: Imaging tests. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can produce cross-sectional or 3-D images of bone.
Can fibrous dysplasia be diagnosed?
Most people with fibrous dysplasia don't have symptoms and are diagnosed when an X-ray taken for another reason reveals signs of fibrous dysplasia. However, in some cases you or your child may experience pain or other symptoms that lead you to schedule an appointment with your family doctor or your child's pediatrician.
How is fibrous dysplasia diagnosed?
How is fibrous dysplasia (FD) diagnosed? FD is diagnosed by physicians with expertise in metabolic bone diseases. A physical exam, X-rays or other imaging, and blood or other tests may be used.
How do you know if you have fibrous dysplasia?
Location in the body of the affected bones. Whether any injuries, like fractures, have occurred. People living with fibrous dysplasia may have no signs or symptoms at all, but for others living with FD signs and symptoms may include: Fatigue, particularly in young children. Pain and weakness in the areas affected. Fractures or breaks.
What is FD in medical terms?
Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare condition in which healthy bone is replaced with fibrous bone-like tissue. The disorder causes the affected areas to be more susceptible to fracture. Appointments 216.444.2606. Appointments & Locations.
What is the cause of fibrosis?
Fibrous dysplasia results from a genetic mutation (change) on chromosome 20. This mutation happens on one gene that directs bone formation and growth, but what causes this mutation to occur remains unknown.
What is FD in skeletal?
What is fibrous dysplasia (FD)? Fibrous dysplasia ( FD) is an uncommon disorder of the skeleton that is rarely cancerous (less than 1 percent). This disorder results in fibrous bone-like tissue that replaces normal, healthy bone, causing the affected areas to be more susceptible to fractures (broken bone).
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
Studies are ongoing to determine the effectiveness of denosumab (Prolia®), which is a drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis. For some people, braces can help prevent bone fractures.
What are the symptoms of FD?
Pain and weakness in the areas affected. Fractures or breaks. Misshapen bones (bone deformity) Cafe au lait spots. Signs and symptoms of underlying endocrine disorders such as growth hormone excess, overactive thyroid and early puberty. Because FD can affect any bone in the body, symptoms may range from mild to severe.
When does fibrous dysplasia occur?
Fibrous dysplasia usually occurs in children ages 3 to 15, but it sometimes is not diagnosed until adulthood. The exact cause of fibrous dysplasia is not known, but it is not passed down through families. Symptoms may include bone pain and deformity, a waddling walk, and scoliosis.
What tests are done to determine if fibrous dysplasia is growing?
Lab tests. When fibrous dysplasia lesions are actively growing, blood and urine tests may show elevated levels of the certain enzymes and amino acids in the body. Other imaging tests. Your healthcare provider may order an MRI or CT scan to further evaluate the affected bones.
What is fibrosis scar tissue?
Fibrous dysplasia is a chronic problem in which scar-like tissue grows in place of normal bone. It often results in one or more, of the following: Any bone can be affected. More than one bone can be affected at any one time. When multiple bones are affected, it is not unusual for them to all be on one side of the body.
What is the name of the condition that causes the skin to turn brown and have spots on the spine?
Vertebrae in the spine. Some people develop hormonal problems and a condition called McCune-Albright syndrome. McCune-Albright syndrome is another form of fibrous dysplasia. It causes different symptoms, such as early onset of puberty and skin spots, called café-au-lait spots.
Does fibrous dysplasia spread to other bones?
However, fibrous dysplasia does not spread from one bone to another. The most commonly affected bones include the following: Some people develop hormonal problems and a condition called McCune-Albright syndrome. McCune-Albright syndrome is another form of fibrous dysplasia.
What is fibrous dysplasia?
Fibrous dysplasia is a common benign skeletal lesion that may involve one bone (monostotic) or multiple bones (polyostotic) and occurs throughout the skeleton with a predilection for the long bones, ribs, and craniofacial bones. The etiology of fibrous dysplasia has been linked to an activating mutation in the gene that encodes the alpha subunit ...
What is fibrosis in skeletal anatomy?
Fibrous dysplasia is a common benign skeletal lesion that may involve one bone (monostotic) or multiple bones (polyostotic) and occurs throughout the skeleton with a predilection for the long bones, ribs, and craniofacial bones.
What is bisphosphonate therapy?
Bisphosphonate therapy may help to improve function, decrease pain, and lower fracture risk in appropriately selected patients with fibrous dysplasia. Surgery is indicated for confirmatory biopsy, correction of deformity, prevention of pathologic fracture, and/or eradication of symptomatic lesions. The use of cortical grafts is preferred ...
