Your skeleton has the dual job of providing protection and making movement possible. But it can be affected by a variety of diseases, including tumors, infections, decreased bone density, abnormal thickness or softening, abnormal curvature of the spine, and even fusion of the joints. Many of the skeletal diseases, however, primarily affect specific age groups.
Multiple Myeloma
According to Michael Joyce, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, multiple myeloma is the most common malignant bone tumor. With the average age of 65 years old, it is a tumor composed of plasma cells, the type of white blood cells that make antibodies. The plasma cells multiply in the bone marrow then branch out, destroying bone, causing fractures and pain. In addition, this disease causes anemia and infections. And these plasma cells make not only cloned antibodies, but also fragments of antibodies, called Bence Jones light chains. These fragments will damage your kidneys and can lead to kidney failure.
Osteosarcoma
The second-most common malignant bone tumor is osteosarcoma. It primarily affects men in their 20s and 30s, usually affecting the femur (thigh bone), tibia (a lower leg bone) or the humerus (the bone in the upper arm). Their pain will get progressively worse, especially at night. They will also have fevers, weight loss and night sweats. The skin over the tumor may be red and swollen as well.
Ewing's Sarcoma
This is another common tumor. It is usually seen in males who are between 10 and 25 years old. Any bone can be affected, but it is usually found in the pelvis, femur and tibia. People with this cancer will have fever, anemia and pain. The area over the tumor will be swollen and will feel warm.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a common bone infection. Most of the time, your bone can get infected if an infection spreads to it from nearby tissue. At times, however, an infection will spread to your bone through your bloodstream. You will have a fever, along with pain and tenderness around the area where your bone is infected. You will also have swelling and redness around the infected area as well. Most infections are due to a bacteria called Staph aureus.
Osteoporosis
As explained by Elizabeth Corwin, PhD, osteoporosis is referred to as a metabolic disease because your bones are constantly at work. They are breaking down old bone (called resorption) and, at the same time, forming new bone. If more bone is resorbed than new bone is made, your bones can become weak unless they are dense and strong to begin with. Bone is resorbed more than it is made beginning in your 40s, but bones start to thin the most after menopause, when estrogen levels have decreased. Osteoporosis is thin, weak bone, causing fractures in your vertebrae, hip and wrist with little trauma.
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics"; Harry Skinner, M.D., PhD; 2006
- "Handbook of Pathophysiology"; Elizabeth Corwin, MSN, PhD, FNP; 2000
- The Merck Manual: Multiple Myeloma
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Osteoporosis-Introduction
