Trabecular Bone Disease

Disease of the trabecular, or “spongy”, bone weakens the structure of the tissues found at the joints and spine. Though several illnesses can be at the root of the problem, the effects on the body are similar. Spongy bone disease is not lethal on its own but can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications. It also greatly reduces quality of life.

Osteoporosis

• Women over 50 are at greatest risk of osteoporosis.

  The leading cause of trabecular dysfunction is osteoporosis. This disease removes calcium from cells and keeps bones from repairing themselves properly. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that 55 percent of Americans over the age of 50 are afflicted. Post-menopausal women make up more than three-quarters of that figure, because estrogen helps regulate skeletal growth. Osteoporosis leads to brittle bones and an increased risk of fracture, especially of the spine and hip.

Osteomalacia

• Osteomalacia is the failure of new bone material to collect enough calcium and other minerals to form sturdy bone. This is different from osteoporosis, which damages healthy tissue; osteomalacia doesn’t allow new healthy tissue to develop. It is caused by low vitamin D levels in the body. This deficiency can be the result of poor nutrition or of genetic abnormalities.

Paget's Disease

• Paget's disease can cause malformations and fractures in the spine and hips.

  Paget's disease can be caused by a viral infection, genetic factors or both. Trabecular destruction briefly speeds up, and then overcompensates with bone repair. The result is a “ballooning” effect: large and misshapen bone formation in the skull, spine and thigh. The extra deformed bone is then hollowed out by the disease and becomes fragile. Paget's does not usually appear until after age 40, and is more common in men than women.

Hyperparathyroidism

• The removal of calcium and other minerals from bone is partially controlled by the action of the parathyroid. If this gland detects low calcium or vitamin D in the blood, it will “steal” these nutrients from trabecular tissue to replace it. Over-activity of the parathyroid speeds up this process and weakens spongy bone. Such a condition is rare, however; the Office of the Surgeon General states that it occurs in up to 1 percent of Americans.

Treatment

• The most common treatments are oral medications, diet and exercise.

  Though the causes of trabecular disease may vary, the treatments are similar. Oral medications may be prescribed to regulate bone growth. Lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise, are also recommended to maintain overall skeletal health. In severe cases of Paget’s, these therapies may be accompanied by surgery to correct deformed bones. While there is no cure for trabecular bone disease, proper medical management often allows a long and normal life.