Exostosis (Osteoma) - Medtick
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Exostosis (Osteoma)

What is it?

A benign (non cancerous) growth of a new bone on top of an existing bone.

  • It can occur on any parts of the body, the common areas include:

Ear canal (“Surfer’s ear”)

  • Bony growth inside the ear canal.
  • It can occur in one or both ears and cause hearing loss

Sinus

  • Abnormal growth of the bone that forms the sinus cavity can cause face appearance changes and lumps on face.
  • It can block your sinus from draining properly, causing congestion.
  • It may also cause pain by putting pressure on a nearby nerve.
  • Increased risk of ear infection because water collects behind the growth of bone.

Jaw (Buccal exostosis)

  • Abnormal growth on the upper or lower jawbone usually near back of the mouth.
  • May affect appearance of way the jaw looks and face appearance and one may have difficulty in the way they brush their teeth.
  • Increased risk of infection because water collects behind the growth of bone and poor oral hygiene.
  • Usually  painless

Shoulder (shoulder blades), hips, pelvis and/or Long bone on leg (Osteochondroma or osteocartilaginous exostosis)

Hereditary multiple osteochondromas

  • When such a growth is covered with a cartilage (tremendously strong and flexible fibrous tissue) it is called an osteochondroma.
  • Occurs in childhood aged or teenage aged years.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Below-normal height for a child’s age
    • One leg or arm being longer than the other
    • Pain during exercise
    • Soreness of nearby muscles

Nails and/or toes.

  • Lumps and swelling may appear under nail bed, or on top of nail area on the skin.
  • Thought to be caused by physical trauma or infection.
  • Overgrowth occurs under the nail, it is known as a subungual bony exostosis.
  • Hallux (the big toe) is the most common area, though can occur anywhere.
  • Complete excision with or without curettage is the mainstay of treatment for this condition.

Pascoal D, Balacó I, Alves C, Cardoso PS, Ling TP, Gabriel Matos G. Subungual exostosis — treatment results with preservation of the nail bed. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2020;29:382-386. Source

Ankle and/or knees

  • Pain and swelling and/or joint stiffness in the knee and/or ankle area.
  • Nearby aching muscles.
  • Nearby lumps and swellings.

Heel of foot: Haglund’s deformity or “Pump bump,” or “Mulholland deformity” (retrocalcaneal exostosis)

  • Common in middle-aged women and can appear on either or both feet
  • Symptoms include:
    • Pain in the heel that doesn’t go away after resting.
    • Bony bump on the back of your heel
    • Severe pain in the area where your Achilles tendon attaches to your heel
    • Achilles tendonitis symptoms
    • Swelling in the bursa, which is the fluid-filled sac at the back of your heel (bursitis)
    • Redness near the inflamed tissue 

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) (Diaphyseal aclasis)

Cause

  • Unknown

“Surfers ear” (Exostosis of the external auditory canal)

  • Maybe due to exposure to water in the ear and wind which may irritate the ear drum and ear canal.

Sinus

Buccal exostosis (jaw)

Haglund’s deformity or “Pump bump,” or  “Mulholland deformity” (retrocalcaneal exostosis)

  • When the stiff back of your shoe rubs against the bump in your heel.
  • Tight Achilles tendon
  • High arch in your feet
  • Tend to walk on the outside of your heel.
  • Family history

“Cone-shaped” formation of the “growing ends” of certain bones

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

These conditions can lead to:

  • Pseudoaneurysm (false aneurysm): This is the collection of blood between the two outer layers of an artery.
  • Claudication: This is a cramping pain, usually in the legs, that may occur after exercise.
  • Acute ischemia: This is a blockage of the blood supply.
  • Phlebitis: This is inflammation of a vein.

Healthline

orthobullets.com

Prevention

“Surfers ear” (Exostosis of the external auditory canal)

  • Wearing ear plugs or a head covering may be a way for surfers to avoid this type of exostosis.

Haglund’s deformity or “Pump bump,” or  “Mulholland deformity” (retrocalcaneal exostosis)

  • Avoid shoes with tight, stiff heels, especially for long periods of time.
  • Avoid running on hard surfaces or uphill.
  • Wear fitted, padded socks with non-slip soles.
  • Perform stretching exercises to prevent tightening of the Achilles tendon.
  • Wearing heel pads to reduce pressure from your shoes
  • Wearing an immobilizing boot or cast
  • Wearing special orthotics in your shoes
  • Getting physical therapy, including massage and ultrasound therapy
  • Wearing shoes with lower heels
  • Wearing open-backed shoes
  • Taking anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Icing (not direct ice-wrap in a towel) the bump for 20 to 40 minutes per day to reduce swelling

This condition may show similar symptoms to if one has back, hip and/or shoulder pain:

  • Arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Arthritis related to inflammatory bowel disease
  • SAPHO syndrome (rare inflammatory disorder of bone, joints, and skin):
    • Synovitis- joints become swollen
    • Acne
    • Pustulosis- highly inflammatory skin condition resulting in large fluid-filled blister-like areas – pustules.
      • Pustulosis typically occurs on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. The skin of these areas peels and flakes (exfoliates).
    • Hyperostosis
    • Osteitis- inflammation, hot, red and swollen bones.
  • Dominant multiple epiphyseal dysplasia
  • Fibrous dysplasia (long bones of the arms and legs, the bones of the face and skull (craniofacial area), and the ribs are most often affected)
  • Reactive arthritis
  • Maffucci syndrome
  • Munchmeyer’s disease (fibrodysplasia ossificans) or ‘Stone man syndrome’  – a spontaneous or genetic condition where ones connective tissue turns in to bone tissue.
    • Initially one  has dental deformation , then stiff joints , movement problems and then breathing problems due to poor movement of the rib cage.
    • Any injury can cause muscles to turn to bone hence it is a debilitating and restrictive condition.

This condition may show symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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