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What is Osteodystrophy?

Shannon Kietzman
Shannon Kietzman

Osteodystrophy is a disorder in which a person suffers from a variety of bone disorders. Typical disorders associated with osteodystrophy include osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteosclerosis, and osteitis fibrosa. Osteodystrophy is typically caused by chronic kidney failure, which is also referred to as renal disease. It may also occur in individuals who are born with a malfunctioning kidney.

Osteyodystrophy is most commonly found in patients undergoing dialysis therapy. Since renal disease can cause death if not treated with dialysis therapy, the person has no choice but to risk the possibility of developing osteodystrophy. Due to its close association with kidney failure and dialysis, osteodystrophy is also commonly referred to as renal osteodystrophy or chronic hemodialysis.

Osteodystrophy is most frequently found in patients undergoing dialysis.
Osteodystrophy is most frequently found in patients undergoing dialysis.

Each of the diseases associated with osteodystrophy can be quite serious. Osteomalacia causes the bones to soften as the amount of calcium in them is reduced. With osteoporosis, the patient’s bones lose mass and become porous and fragile. Osteosclerosis, on the other hand, is characterized by hardened bones. In patients with osteitis fibrosa, the calcium in the bones is replaced with scar-type tissues.

Typical disorders associated with osteodystrophy include osteoporosis.
Typical disorders associated with osteodystrophy include osteoporosis.

Each of the bone disorders associated with osteodystrophy is caused by a hormonal imbalance, which has a major impact on calcium balance and bone metabolism. In addition, osteomalacia is often the first of these disorders to form because of the aluminum deposits that are made in the bone during dialysis, which cannot be properly removed due to impaired kidney function. Treatment of osteodystrophy depends on the combination of bone disorders the patient has developed. If the patient has osteomalacia, the treatment may be to reduce the amount of aluminum in the dialysis treatment and occasionally to remove the aluminum from the patient’s body with the help of special medications.

Osteodystrophy is typically caused by chronic kidney failure.
Osteodystrophy is typically caused by chronic kidney failure.

Patients who have developed osteoporosis and osteitis fibrosa are generally treated with calcium and Vitamin D supplements. Osteosclerosis, on the other hand, can be prevented by keeping toxins, such as uremia, from building up in the patient’s body. This can be a difficult task, since the kidneys do not function normally, and therefore, cannot aid in the removal process.

Discussion Comments

PinkPuma

My daughter was diagnosed with bilateral osteodystrophy a few years back. The doctors said she was born that way. What i can't understand is why, when i look the disorder up it always talks about kidney failure etc... Her kidneys were fine until a few years back when she got a really bad kidney infection, since then she gets really painful kidneys and the doctor is thinking about putting her on antibiotics for a year. I just want a straight answer to why she has this disorder and if she has a higher chance of developing kidney failure?

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    • Osteodystrophy is most frequently found in patients undergoing dialysis.
      By: picsfive
      Osteodystrophy is most frequently found in patients undergoing dialysis.
    • Typical disorders associated with osteodystrophy include osteoporosis.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Typical disorders associated with osteodystrophy include osteoporosis.
    • Osteodystrophy is typically caused by chronic kidney failure.
      By: 3drenderings
      Osteodystrophy is typically caused by chronic kidney failure.
    • Asian-American women are at high risk for developing osteoporosis.
      By: chuugo
      Asian-American women are at high risk for developing osteoporosis.
    • Smoking increases an individual's risk of developing osteoporosis.
      By: illustrez-vous
      Smoking increases an individual's risk of developing osteoporosis.