Bone Dysplasia
Bone dysplasia is a group of disorders characterized by abnormal bone and cartilage growth, shape, integrity and development. It is a rare condition and occurs in children. Children affected by this condition are very short in stature, have bowlegs or knock-knees, spine curvature (scoliosis), difficulty in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) and may not have complete joint motion. Bone dysplasia is caused by mutation in a gene. The condition may be inherited or develop spontaneously during conception.
Your physician will diagnose the condition based on your child’s family history and a thorough physical examination. Your doctor may order imaging studies such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan and also a prenatal ultrasonography in suspected cases.
Treatment is based on the problems your child is facing with bone dysplasia. Your doctor may perform limb lengthening surgery, where your doctor cuts the shortened bone into two pieces and pulls them apart. Over a period of time, new bone forms in between them, thus lengthening the bone. Curvature of the spine can be corrected by surgery using metal rods or screws to help straighten the spine.