Osteolysis: when the bones dissolve by themselves

Now there are a lot of different diseases of the human bone system.

Unfortunately, it is much more difficult to cure them than diseases of all other organs and systems. This is most likely due to the peculiarities of the structure of the bones and joints of man.

One such disease is osteolysis.

The disease is characterized by the fact that in bone tissue, for some reason, the balance between its destruction and formation is disturbed.

It is known that for these two interrelated processes there are two types of cells:

1. The first species is osteoblasts .They take a direct part in the formation of bone tissue.
2. The second species is osteoclasts .They participate in the destruction of bone.

And they are interconnected because if the normal work of some people, the bone tissue can not develop normally. This will lead to the appearance of certain diseases.

Most often, the process of destruction for some reason prevails over the recovery process. This leads to the appearance of the majority of degenerative diseases of bones and joints.

Osteolysis is a disease that manifests itself not by destruction, but by dissolution of bone tissue. It proceeds in two stages.

The first is a gradual washing out of the bone tissue of various minerals, and in the second, some enzymes are incorporated into the process, which dissolve it.

Variety of process

This disease has several varieties. It can be congenital, that is, a person is already born with this disease. Either it can be acquired, that is, arise during life.

By nature, osteolysis is inflammatory, traumatic.

Bone swelling can lead to the development of the disease. In this case, the tumor can be both benign and malignant.

Osteolysis can be a primary( independent) disease, that is, it does not occur against the background of any other diseases. But some common diseases of the body can lead to it. Then it is customary to talk about the secondary form of the disease.

The disease can be ischemic, that is caused by a violation of blood circulation in bone tissue. Either it can be metabolic, that is, it leads to a violation of absorption of minerals and the predominance of destruction processes over the processes of bone repair.

Why does the process of bone destruction occur?

There are many reasons for the development of the disease.

Although in the classification there is such a thing as an innate form of the disease, but it is very rare.

Traumatization is the main provoking factor

Almost every case of a disease is a violation acquired in the course of a person's life.

Most often, various injuries of bones lead to it, even insignificant at first glance.

Fractures in old age very often lead to the development of this disease. This is mainly due to the fact that with age, the destruction of bones and so goes much faster than recovery. And fractures and other injuries in this case only accelerate the process of degeneration.

Inflammatory diseases - a factor number 2

In second place after injuries to the causes of the disease can be attributed to inflammatory diseases.

Osteomyelitis - an inflammatory disease of bone tissue almost always leads to its destruction.

But other inflammatory diseases can lead to its appearance.

This and various arthritis, including rheumatoid, and any connective tissue diseases.

The result of the tumor process

Such a seemingly common and not very serious disease, like a sore throat, can also give serious complications to the joints, although it seems to have nothing to do with them.

Now more and more often the cause of osteolysis is the tumor processes in the bone tissue.

They can be benign or malignant.

In this case, the process that occurs when malignant neoplasms, may be secondary.

This is due to the fact that the primary tumor can give metastases that, with blood or lymph flow, penetrate into the bone tissue, causing there the growth of a new tumor.

Another reason is long-term use of glucocorticosteroid hormones. They lead to a disturbance in the metabolism of bone tissue and its gradual destruction.

With general atherosclerosis, when blood vessels are clogged with plaques, blood can not normally flow to all organs and tissues. It also affects the bone tissue, which becomes little oxygen, and it begins to gradually break down.

Additional risk factors

Risk factors that can lead to the onset of the disease include industrial injuries, severe working conditions( work in the cold, prolonged exposure to cold water).

Diseases of connective tissue, including inflammatory, tumor processes in other organs and body systems - all these can be called risk factors.

Diseases that can lead to destruction of bone tissue

On the photo, osteolysis of the clavicle

Most often this disease leads to bone disease. These are arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis.

Rheumatism, frequent sore throats, which go through without antibiotic treatment, can lead to osteolysis.

Even hypercholesterolemia, leading to the appearance of a common atherosclerosis, can lead to this pathology.

Gout and hyperthyroidism can also cause dissolution of bones. Tuberculosis, especially bone tissue, in some cases can cause this disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, careful collection of anamnesis, objective examination and these additional research methods.

The main complaint made by almost all patients - is pain in the place of origin of the pathological process .

The pain is usually aching, but over time it gradually intensifies. If the disease is inflammatory, patients may also complain of fever, chills, general weakness.

On examination, the skin above the affected area can be hyperemic, and when palpated at this place, soreness will be

. The basic method, which allows the correct diagnosis in the shortest time, remains the radiograph of the bones. On it you can see the place of destruction or the tumor process leading to this disease, or the destruction of the cortical layer.

What should I do if I suspect a pathology?

If the patient has symptoms similar to this disease, then he should immediately consult a doctor for a thorough examination and treatment.

How to avoid the disease?

First of all, avoid injury to bone tissue, compliance with safety regulations in the workplace in particular and in life in general.

It is also necessary to treat all inflammatory diseases in time.

And, of course, carefully monitor your health, passing annual medical examinations to identify early all forms of neoplasm.

Thus, the disease is very difficult to treat, so it is easier to prevent, not treat.