Brittle Bone Disease

Brittle Bone Disease questions and answers

Learn more about Brittle Bone Disease at Diet & Health.net.

Q: Can you grow out of Brittle Bone Disease?
I have a friend who was diagnosed with Brittle Bone Disease as a child and she broke like 30 something bones. But now she hasn't broken a bone in like 7 years, and she claims its because she was healed by God at a revival meeting. That just seems silly to me. What are some medical explanations for this? Okay, so what she experienced is normal? Fractures decrease or disappear as she gets older?

A: no its a genetic defect What is osteogenesis imperfecta? Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is the most common disease causing fractures in childhood. It also causes fractures in adults. OI is a genetic disorder usually resulting from abnormalities of the genes that control the production of a protein called collagen; which is the main protein in bone and essential for its strength. The fragility of bone in OI is due to the collagen problems; it has nothing to do with the calcium part of bone, which is what shows up on X-rays. How common are fractures? Some OI children are born with fractures that have taken place in the womb. Others have their first fractures soon after birth or several years later. Some people with OI have so few fractures in childhood that the correct diagnosis is not made. Fractures are difficult to predict, especially in childhood. Some occur with normal handling. Some occur with so little trauma that the usual signs of a fracture may not be seen and the fracture is not identified till some weeks or months later when an X-ray is done for another reason. The bones do not always behave in a brittle way; fractures may fail to occur when expected from an injury. The reason for these variations is quite unknown. In both sexes and in almost all types of OI the fracture rate diminishes during the teenage years and remains low in adult life. The reason for this is not known. What other clinical problems can occur? Besides fractures there may be problems in other parts of the body; most of these are, like the fractures, the result of the defects of collagen. The joints may be lax. The whites of the eyes may be blue or grey. The teeth may be discoloured and fragile. There may be an increased liability to bruising (thought to be due to the defective collagen in small blood vessels). Deafness may occur (see below). Hernias are more common in people with OI. Excessive sweating or intolerance of heat are common complaints; the cause of this is not known. Is OI inherited? OI in an individual is present from the time of conception. In some people, mostly those with milder OI, the disorder passes from one generation to another. In some of these people, and in most with severe OI, it arises without any family history. In most, but not all, of these the cause is a 'new genetic mutation' - in other words the responsible change in the person's genes arises anew, and not because it has been passed on from a parent. It is important to obtain advice from a specialist in gene problems (clinical geneticist) who may be able to identify the pattern of inheritance and advise on the risk to further children or the risk of passing on the condition. How is OI diagnosed? In most people the diagnosis is made from the pattern of fractures and the finding of any of the associated clinical features such as blue or grey whites of the eyes. However, it is important to recognise that none of these signs may be present and that the diagnosis may be very difficult. In severely affected people X-rays may show characteristic abnormalities - the result of previous fractures. In many people with only mild or moderate OI the X-rays may appear normal at the time of the first few fractures. Later, in bones that have been the site of previous fractures, the bones may appear demineralised (less white on X-ray) and reduced radiation may be needed to obtain satisfactory films for the diagnosis of fractures. In about half of people with mild OI a useful sign is seen in the skull where there may be additional small bones in the sutures known as wormian bones. Bone density measurements are usually unhelpful for the diagnosis of OI. They frequently give normal results in bones that have not previously been fractured. In the USA two specialised tests are sometimes used for the diagnosis of OI. One involves taking a small piece of skin, culturing the cells and chemically examining the collagen produced. The other uses a blood sample and searches for mutations of the genes coding for the collagen of bone. Both tests are labour-intensive and neither test is more than 85 per cent accurate in identifying cases of OI. What treatment can be given? The mainstay of treatment is competent orthopaedic care at the time of fractures, to ensure that each fracture heals in a good position. Patients should be mobilised as early as possible to minimise the loss of bone due to immobilisation. In some circumstances 'rodding' operations, in which fixed or telescopic metal rods are inserted into the shafts of bones, are very helpful, particularly in children with very frequent fractures or appreciable deformity. Help in the form of competent occupational therapy may be invaluable in ensuring that parents are given good advice in handling of a young child, in prescribing the most appropriate seating or wheelchairs, in advising on adaptations to the home and on practical ways of ensuring a good education. There is no drug treatment for OI itself. Trials of growth hormone have been disappointing. Trials of various bisphosphonate drugs are in progress and have given encouraging results in some patients with the more severe types of OI.

Q: what is the right name for brittle bone disease?
i know it has a name i just dont remember it. It would be nice if you could tell me more about it too.

A: Osteoporosis

Q: Can a Cat have brittle bone disease?
Seriously,I don't beat my cat...he is clumsy. But I don't think he should be breaking bones. He is 4 mos old and he has had a broken leg, pelvis, ribs and toes. Most of this came from when our golden retriever stepped on him. The others have been from normal kitten stuff. The vet thinks that he is just unlucky.

A: I don't know why this vet didn't help you enough! You need to see a better vet because cats CAN have brittle bone disease!! That is really not good for a cat so go to a pet hospital, not that vet! I wish you good luck with your cat!

Q: with brittle bone disease and kidney failure, approx. how much time do you have left?
I am a personal care attendant for a 30 yr old with this who is refusing dialysis. Its sad and I know its up to God but I am just courious. And no I have nothing to gain but being sad.

A: my mom is a dialysis nurse and when a person refuse's it they can have anywhere from a day to two weeks with a week and half being a normal time but you never know what god has in store...

Q: Is there a low calcium diet or commercial food for dogs with osteopetrosis (brittle bone disease)?
I have a 1 yr old mill papillion that has broken his leg and the vet showed me the xrays and told me he has osteoPETrosis. The opposite of Osteoperosis. His little bones hold TOO MUCH calcium.

A: I'd get a second opinion. Brittle bones (ie: bones that break easily) is caused by not having enough calcium. Too much calcium results in tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea leading to dehydration and thirst and does not effect bones in such a way. It sounds more likely that your dog might have developed a tumor on his parathyroid glands, which causes the bones to lose calcium into the bloodstream (then leading to osteoperosis). This is all fairly common knowledge (or should be), if your vet did any nutrition schooling. ...Get a second opinion. It's highly unlikely that, unless you're supplementing your dogs' diet with vitamins, he's getting too much calcium. It's very hard to OD on calcium from diet alone.

Q: are there any other parents out there who have had babies with "temporary brittle bone" disease?
My two children had it when they were under 3 months old but it was never accepted by the medical profession resulting in 5 long years of court battles only to end with them both been adopted. "LEGAL KIDNAPPING" is what I call it and I would like to get in touch with other parents who have or are going through similar situations. Its not right what social services do to these innocent families.

A: Oh my god that is horrible. I'm so sorry that happened to your family. I have heard about Temporary Brittle Bone Disease; it has gotten a lot of press and attention a few years ago because of cases just like yours. There are a lot of resources on this page http://www.familyrightsassociation.com/ If you click also at the link up top that reads "Need help now?", down at the bottom of that page there are links to Yahoo support groups for families that have been through similar situations, not just with TBBD but other issues as well. Also for families with only TBDD, there is a specialized support group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/brittle_bones_trap/ Again, I am so very sorry.

Q: Is brittle bone disease fatal?
does it kill you?

A: As far as I'm aware, no. It is an unpleasent condition and the severity varies but it is not fatal. However having said this, a bad break could result in secondary injuries (for instance a punctured lung if a rib is broken) which could cause problems.

Q: brittle bone disease ..advice anyone?
my friend had the disease when he was a child now he is 34 and expecting... and they found that the unborn baby has the disease. are there any meds to help the baby, or does anyone have some advice?

A: Im not a doctor so I dont know of any recourse for your friend. I would suggest calcium suplements for the child. Its a natural way to give support to the bones

Q: what is the disease that causes brittle bones in relation to dairy products?


A: Osteogenesis imperfecta is the disease that is commonly called "brittle bone disease." Is that what you were looking for?

Q: Does a dog with bad knees mean possibly bone disease?
I just want to know if a dog having bad knees means the rest of the bones in the body are brittle I ask this in regards to m previous question about the dogs tail breaking. I just feel like the dog not responding to the tail breaking and taking a long time to start bleeding has to mean something unormal. The lady said her dog had bad knees, So though maybe all the bones were affected. Am I wrong?

A: What do mean by "bad knees"? Arthritis is the loss of cartilage, Luxating patella is due to a joint that is too shallow to allow the joint to move properly. Torn Cruciates are due to ligament damage. There are a lot of problems that can be related to lameness from the knees - something your vet should have a chat with you about.

Q: What is the name of the disease that causes the bones tobecome so brittle in an elderly woman that they break?
I knew a lady who suffered terribly from a severe, deteriorating, disease, and over a few years the bones throughout her body broke and did not heal. She eventually couldn't move at all and died from pneumonia.

A: osteoporosis??

Q: in olden days coal miners often suffered from rickets a disease characterized by brittle bones. Rest on dscrpt
Miners rarely see the sun a source of vitamin d what's going on here? another ap bio question not covered in our book please help thanks

A: Rickets occurs when the body can't properly mineralize the bones. Vitamin D and calcium are both required for strong bones. Vitamin D is produced by the human body by a complex series of reactions, which occur in the skin and require sun exposure. Nowadays, vitamin D is added to a lot of food products, like milk, so even if you sit inside all day you are probably getting enough. Rickets during childhood causes bow legs: the bones in the legs curve outward from the pressure. In adults, I believe it is more common to see fractures.

Q: Can babies sustain bone fractures during birth via c-section??
My sister just gave birth to her first baby (daughter) on Saturday night via a cesarean section. She was told by the doctors almost 12 hours later that the baby sustained a fracture in her leg and she was rushed to the childrens hosp immediately where they are doing additional testing for any signs of brittle bone disease. Needless to say my sister's a wreck and no one is giving us a straight answer as to how this happened. I somewhat understand if she gave birth naturally but a c-section? Has this ever happened to anyone else??

A: I hadn't heard that before. Our son broke his collar bone coming out- vaginally. I didn't realize it at first- the doctors told me. He was 9 lbs. I am praying it is not brittle bone disease! Your nephew and family is in my prayers!

Q: What can cause your bones to ecome weak n brittle and no its not osteoporosis so what else can damge your bone
what bone disease can cuase your skull bone ot deterirate as well as your spian lbones?!?!

A: Here are some conditions that can cause bones to weaken. Osteomalacia . Paget's disease of bone Osteogenesis imperfecta There are others as well. You can read about these and other conditions that cause weak bones at http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/weak_bones/causes.htm Rusty http://arthritis-symptom.com/m-r/osteoporosis-information.htm

Q: How do I get my parents to let me go to a JB concert?
I have Brittle Bones disease which makes it difficult to go into a crowded area without getting hurt. If I ask my parents to go to a JB concert they would immediately shoot down that idea. I really want to go to one, any suggestions?

A: What is a JB concert? You could always ask the artist. Sometimes they will accommodate you for a special seat.