· syn. Forestier’s disease
· ossifying diathesis of tendon and ligament insertions
· most commonly involves spine
· defined as presence of nonmarginal syndesmophytes at three successive levels
· common (28% in autopsy specimens)
· middle-aged patients
· associated with
· diabetes
· gout
· obesity
· aetiology obscure
· principal symptom is low back pain
· classic feature syndesmophytes
· bony spurs
· nonmarginal
· cf. marginal in ankylosing spondylitis
· esp. thoracic
· on anterior and lateral (esp. right) aspects of spine
· may produce ankylosis
· integrity of disc spaces and facet joints maintained
· osseous whiskering at sites of ligament attachment
· iliac crest
· ischial tuberosity
· trochanters
· ligament ossification
· para-articular osteophytes
· calcaneal spurs
· ankylosing spondylitis
· acromegaly
· fluorosis
· hypertrophic osteoarthropathy