Unchecked Bone Growth | National Geographic

TL;DR

FOP, a rare condition causing uncontrollable bone growth, affects fewer than 300 people in the US, resulting in the possible fusion of joints and limited mobility.

Transcript

these people live with a mysterious condition with no known cure called fibrodisplasia oans progressiva or fop fop is one of the rarest conditions known to mankind you need to fill 20 stadiums in order to find one person who has fop in the United States there are fewer than 300 confirmed cases it's an extraordinary condition that causes bone to gro... Read More

Key Insights

• 💼 FOP is an extremely rare condition, with fewer than 300 cases in the US.
• 🥺 Bone growth in FOP is uncontrollable and can lead to joint fusion and limited mobility.
• 🗞️ Flare-ups in FOP can be triggered by even minor trauma, causing new bone formation.
• 💼 FOP is the only known case of one organ turning into another in the body.
• 🤕 Holly Palano, living with FOP since the age of 16, experiences its effects on various areas of her body.
• 🫒 Patients with FOP have to live with the permanent nature of the condition.
• 🥺 The leading expert on FOP is Dr. Frederick Kaplan, who has examined numerous patients worldwide.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is FOP and how does it affect people?

FOP, or fibrodisplasia oans progressiva, causes uncontrolled bone growth, which can lead to joint fusion and limited mobility. Even minor trauma can trigger flare-ups, resulting in new bone formation.

Q: How rare is FOP?

FOP is one of the rarest conditions, with fewer than 300 confirmed cases in the US. It takes filling 20 stadiums to find just one person with FOP.

Q: How does FOP differ from other conditions?

FOP is unique as it involves the transformation of muscles, tendons, and ligaments into a second skeleton. It is the only known case of one organ turning into another in the body.

Q: What triggers flare-ups in FOP patients?

Flare-ups in FOP can be triggered by even minor trauma, such as bumping into something or basic exercise. Inflammation caused by physical trauma can lead to new bone growth and potential joint lock-up.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• FOP, or fibrodisplasia oans progressiva, is a rare condition where bone grows unchecked, causing potential joint fusion and limited movement.

• The condition is extremely rare, with fewer than 300 confirmed cases in the US.

• FOP is characterized by flare-ups, triggered by even minor trauma, which can lead to the formation of new bone.