Most common bone diseases: The skeletal system of your body gives the basic framework, which provides structure, and movement. It also protects your inner organs. There are 206 bones in your body, and every bone produces blood cells, stores essential minerals, and also releases certain hormones required for your bodily functions. Bones are the most vital parts of your body, unlike other organs, they possess their own system of blood & lymphatic vessels and nerves.

Bones in your body consist of two different tissues

Compact bone: This is the hard and thick tissue that forms the outermost layer of most of the bones and the main stem(shaft) in long bones, like the long bones in your arms and legs. The nerves and blood vessels of bones reside inside this compact bone tissue.

Spongy bone: This spongy tissue is composed of smaller plates loaded with red bone marrow. It is located at the long bone ends, such as the femur head, and in the middle of other bones.

Types of Bone Marrow

Red bone marrow can form more blood cells in your body and also helps eliminate old blood cells. Another type of bone marrow present in the long bone’s central cavities, also known as yellow bone marrow, consists of more fat. If your body suffers from high blood loss, it converts the yellow bone marrow into red to make more red blood cells.

Commonly the condition of your bones is measured by its density or “bone mass.” A bone mineral density (BMD) test can identify the amount of calcium content in your bones – and, therefore, also suggests how strong your bones are. 

However, certain bone conditions can lower your bone density, and make your bones weak and fragile. Below are some of the common bone conditions that you should be aware of as they can damage your bones.

Osteoporosis

it is a condition where your bones become fragile, weak, and easily prone to breakage. It is a bone condition commonly seen in people with increasing age. In other words, one of the most common bone diseases is Osteoporosis. It is most commonly seen in women compared to men. Even men are at risk. Children are also at risk of developing juvenile osteoporosis. It is symptomless, and most people with this condition tend not to know about having it until a bone fracture or a doctor diagnoses it incidentally during a routine health check-up.

Paget’s Disease

This is a type of bone disease where your bone remodeling process happens too quickly, resulting in bone deformities such as soft and enlarged bones. Paget’s disease is commonly seen in white adults above the age of 55 and may also occur as a hereditary condition.

Bone Infection

It is also termed osteomyelitis. Infection of the bone tissues happens rarely but it is a severe condition. It may occur after bone surgery, such as a joint replacement. It might even spread from other body parts to your bones.

Osteonecrosis

In this condition, bone tissues die without blood, and therefore, it is known as osteonecrosis. It mostly occurs due to trauma to the bone, which disrupts blood flow to the fractured bone. Once the bone tissue dies, it becomes weak and collapses. 

Bone Tumors

A bone tumor is a condition where the cells inside the bone grow uncontrollably. These tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Non-cancerous bone tumors are common, and they can’t affect other bone tissue.

Osteoarthritis

It is one of the most common bone conditions.  Being one of the chronic degenerative joint conditions and the most common type of arthritis, millions of people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis each year. The cartilage between the bones acts as a cushion if it breaks the bones rub against one another, resulting in pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most common bone disease worldwide.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is a chronic, autoimmune bone disorder wherein the immune system attacks your own body tissues by mistake. The joints in your hands and feet are commonly affected, unlike the wear-and-tear damage that occurs in osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints lining, resulting in painful swelling, which eventually causes bone erosion & joint deformity.

Osteopenia

Also called Low bone density,  is a condition in which a person’s bone density is lower than normal. Osteopenia can lead to a different bone condition such as osteoporosis, which makes a person more prone to fractures, pain, and a stooped posture.

Gout

This is a bone condition wherein the joints are affected unusually. People with this disorder have abnormally high or excess uric acid crystals in their joints. It leads to abnormal swelling and pain. Gout might occur due to a faulty diet or when kidneys do not process uric acid efficiently.

Bottom line

Between the age of 25 and 30, your bone density is usually high. After that, with increasing age, your bones lose density gradually. But there are several ways by which you can combat the loss of bone mass and mineral density. They include the use of vitamins, minerals, and medications such as hormone therapies and, bone-strengthening exercises, and so on. For more information about the most common bone diseases or skeletal diseases and bone-strengthening procedures consult Dr. Vasudeva Juvvadi, one of the best orthopedic doctors in Hyderabad.