Cause & Symptoms of Fibrous Dysplasia
Recent studies indicate that fibrous dysplasia may be caused by a chemical abnormality in a protein in the bone that leads to an overgrowth of bone cells that produce fibrous tissue. The chemical abnormality occurs because of a mutation or change in the structure of the gene that produces the protein. Fibrous dysplasia is thought to be a congenital disorder, meaning that individuals who have it probably had it when they were born. There is no evidence, however, that the disorder can be inherited.

Symptoms
Depending on where a patient has fibrous dysplasia, various problems can develop. The most common are:
Bone Pain: Bone pain may occur due to the expanding fibrous tissue in the bone. The onset of pain may signal an impending fracture in a bone that has been weakened by this gradual expansion. A fracture may cause a sudden increase in severe pain. It is also possible, although less common, for abnormal bone to produce pain by pressing on an adjacent nerve. In patients with considerable deformity of the weight-bearing long bones (thighs and shins), arthritis can develop in the hips and knees.
Bone Deformity: Because fibrous dysplasia can affect any bone, bone deformity can occur anywhere in the skeleton. Bone deformity caused by fibrous dysplasia is most obvious when it occurs in the skull and facial bones. Fibrous dysplasia of the skull may cause loss of vision and hearing.
Fracture: When a bone is affected by fibrous dysplasia, the fibrous, or connective, tissue expands while the bone surrounding the fibrous tissue breaks down. Therefore, even though the fibrous tissue thickens, the bone itself becomes thin and fragile and fractures can occur. This occurs most often in the long bones of the legs.
Content Courtesy : www.osteo.org
^{Note : Information herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any course of supplementation or treatment.}