About forestier's disease

What is forestier's disease?

DISH is characterized by unique, flowing calcification along the sides of the contiguous vertebrae of the spine.

  • Symptoms of DISH include intermittent pains and stiffness in the areas of the bony changes of the spine and inflamed tendons.
  • DISH is diagnosed when the characteristic flowing calcifications are detected with images of the spine, such as in plain film X-ray methods.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can be helpful in both relieving pain and inflammation of DISH.

What is diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis?

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is considered a form of degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis. However, DISH is characterized by unique, flowing calcification along the sides of the contiguous vertebrae of the spine. And, very unlike typical degenerative arthritis, it's also commonly associated with inflammation (tendinitis) and calcification of tendons at their attachments points to bone. This can lead to the formation of bone spurs, such as heel spurs. In fact, heel spurs are common among individuals with DISH. DISH has also been called Forestier's disease.

What are the symptoms for forestier's disease?

  • Stiffness. Stiffness may be most noticeable in the morning.
  • Pain. You might feel Pain in your back or in other affected areas, such as your shoulder, elbow, knee or heel.
  • Loss of range of motion. You might notice this most when stretching side to side.
  • Difficulty swallowing or a hoarse voice. You might have these if you have DISH in your neck.

What are the causes for forestier's disease?

DISH is caused by the buildup of calcium salts in the ligaments and tendons and a hardening and overgrowth of bone. But what causes these to occur is unknown.

What are the treatments for forestier's disease?

Because areas of the spine and tendons can become inflamed, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), can be helpful in both relieving pain and inflammation of DISH. It is hoped that by minimizing inflammation in these areas, further calcification of tendons and ligaments of the spine leading to calcific bony outgrowths (osteophytes) will be prevented.

What are the risk factors for forestier's disease?

Doctors have some idea of what can increase your risk of the condition. Risk factors include:

  • Sex. Men are more likely to develop DISH.
  • Older age. DISH is most common in older adults, especially in people older than 50.
  • Diabetes and other conditions. People with type 2 diabetes might be more likely to develop DISH than are those who don't have diabetes. Other conditions that can raise insulin levels in your body may also increase your risk, including hyperinsulinemia, prediabetes and obesity.
  • Certain medications. Long-term use of medications called retinoids, such as isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, others), which are used to treat skin conditions such as acne, can increase your risk.

Video related to forestier's disease