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In rare cases, fibromuscular dysplasia-related aneurysms can burst and bleed into the brain, causing stroke, permanent nerve damage, or death. There are presently no specific studies or reports on the long-term prognosis and life expectancy of fibromuscular dysplasia adults and in children.
What is the life expectancy of someone with fibromuscular dysplasia?
However, researchers haven’t found any evidence that it decreases life expectancy, and many people with FMD live well into their 80s and 90s. Work with your doctor to find the best way to manage ...
What is the prognosis of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)?
What causes it?
- Genes. About 10 percent of FMD cases occur in members of the same family, suggesting genetics may play a role.
- Hormones. Women are three to four times more likely to get FMD than men are, which suggests that female hormones may be involved.
- Abnormal arteries. ...
What do you need to know about fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)?
- vision changes
- speech changes
- unexplained changes in your arms or legs
What is FMD in medical terms?

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.
Can fibrous dysplasia become cancerous?
It is very rare for areas of fibrous dysplasia to become malignant or cancerous. This occurs in less than 1% of patients and is more likely to happen in patients with the polyostotic form of the condition or in patients with McCune-Albright syndrome.
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 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.
Can fibrous dysplasia affect the brain?
Threat to neurological function. Whilst this is rare, it can occur if the fibrous dysplasia involves the skull base and in particular may cause narrowing of the apertures in the skull base through which various nerves run.
How do you get fibrodysplasia?
Inheritance. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. Most cases of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva result from new mutations in the gene.
Can fibrous dysplasia be prevented?
Prevention. 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.
How is fibrous dysplasia managed?
Medications. 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.
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.
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.
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 the condition where the spine curves?
Bone pain (which happens when the fibrous tissue expands in the bone) Scoliosis (a sideways curve of the spine) The symptoms of fibrous dysplasia may look like other medical problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
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.
