Forestier's disease - Medtick
Medtick

Forestier’s disease

What is it?

Bony hardening of ligaments in areas where they attach to your spine.

  • It can also occur on the neck, shoulder, elbow, knee and/or heel.
  • It is common in over 50 years old and in males tend to have it more than females.
  • It is also referred as Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)

Cause

  • Unknown
  • Build up of calcium salts in the ligaments and tendons and a hardening and overgrowth of bone.
  • Diabetes type 2 or those prone to diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Overweight

Medications

Symptoms

  • Stiffness: Pain and swelling of joints and muscles at the morning and then eases throughout the day?
  • Pain in neck is worse first thing in the morning, then improves after getting up and moving around?
  • Voice changes and/or a hoarse voice and/or a deep voice?
  • Pain and difficulty when swallowing?
  • Loss of range of motion (joint stiffness) You might notice this most when stretching side to side?
  • Joint pain and stiffness?
  • Bone and joint movement problems?
  • Unknown lumps and swellings?
  • Pain in neck radiates to the shoulder or between the shoulder blades?
  • Upper back and neck stiffness?
  • Mild to moderate pain and stiffness to elbow?
  • Pain is on the inside of the knee?
  • Pain and difficulty in moving shoulder and/or spinal region and/or Lower and back part of hip and/or pain under the heel?
  • Excessive growth of bone on a normal bone (called a spur)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

  • Arthritis
  • Spinal tumour
  • Exostosis (Osteoma)
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Arthritis related to inflammatory bowel disease
  • ASAH1-related disorders (Farber disease)
    • Small bumps beneath the skin (subcutaneous nodules) – inflamed tissue that are produced in response to a abnormal build up of fatty material (lipids).
    • Joint disease
    • Hoarseness of voice (formation of nodules within the larynx/voice box)
  • 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.
  • Reactive arthritis

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

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Forestier’s disease in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

© Medtick - 2025. All Rights Reserved.