Spinal surgery in rare bone disease: challenges and outcomes

Abstract

Rare bone diseases can present to spinal surgeons with issues comprising instability, vertebral fracture, neurological compression and spinal deformity, and any or all can affect all areas of the spine. The management of these spinal issues can be challenging in their own right and is added to by the nuances of the rare bone condition itself. This article covers the specifics of the issues faced, through both an anatomical and pathological lens, to give the basics of the management of the spine aspects of these rare bone diseases to those that will see these conditions uncommonly, or need to know about them for examination purposes. Whilst not intending to cover all possible scenarios, this article provides the basics of knowledge and can be built on if required for those who work with this patient group.