Hyperostosis is excessive bone growth that can cause pain, inflammation, and bone deformations. It can be diagnosed through medical imaging or as a symptom of another condition. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and surgery may be necessary in severe cases. Infantile cortical hyperostosis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis are two specific forms of the condition.
Hyperostosis a condition characterized by excessive growth of bone. It can occur independently or as a symptom of another pathological process. Depending on the cause, hyperostosis can be associated with a number of different problems for the patient, including pain, bone deformations and inflammation. An orthopedic specialist is usually involved in the diagnosis and treatment plan, and other medical professionals may also be called.
A doctor can identify hyperostosis in several ways. Overgrowth of bone can sometimes cause inflammation, pain, and other problems that lead a patient to a doctor, and subsequent medical imaging studies may reveal thickening of the bone. If a patient is diagnosed with a condition associated with bone overgrowth, a doctor may also be on the lookout for hyperostosis so it can be addressed quickly when it appears. The condition can also be diagnosed as a result of X-rays taken for an unrelated reason.
Patients with hyperostosis may experience overall bone overgrowth or specific bone overgrowth. You can also see exostosis, where bone grows on top of bone. This can lead to problems with your joints, as thickened bone can interfere with joint function, and overgrown bone can also affect your nerves and blood supply. If inflammation occurs, the patient may experience pain and related symptoms such as warmth around the inflamed area.
Treatment for hyperostosis is based on addressing the underlying cause of the condition, which can also address excessive bone growth in the patient. In some cases, it may only be possible to manage the condition, rather than actively treating it. If the overgrowth becomes a serious problem for the patient, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the excess bone. Management is directed at preventing permanent deformation of the bone, which can lead to problems such as changes in limb length, joint damage, and so on.
A form of hyperostosis known as infantile cortical hyperostosis can be present during the first six months of life and is characterized by irritability, pain, and restlessness in the infant. This condition usually resolves on its own, although it sometimes causes long-lasting changes in bone structure caused by inflammation and thickening of the bone. In diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), the ligaments surrounding the spine harden, limiting range of motion and causing discomfort, pain, and inflammation.
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