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Palliative Care563 papers

Adynamic bone disease

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Adynamic bone disease refers to a condition characterized by suppressed bone remodeling due to impaired osteoclast function, often seen in patients with chronic kidney disease and those receiving high-dose bone-modifying therapies, leading to reduced bone turnover and potential mineralization defects. 424

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Often asymptomatic or presents with fractures due to weakened bone structure. 24
  • Laboratory Tests: Elevated serum calcium and phosphorus levels, low bone turnover markers (e.g., decreased serum CTX, osteocalcin). 424
  • Imaging: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may show normal or increased bone density but with impaired microarchitecture. 24
  • Bone Biopsy: Essential for definitive diagnosis, showing decreased osteoclastic activity and possibly increased osteocyte apoptosis. 4
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments:
  • - Adjustment of Bone-Modifying Agents: Reduce or discontinue bisphosphonates if overuse is suspected. 424 - Phosphate Control: Tight control of serum phosphorus levels, especially in CKD patients. 524
  • Adjunctive Therapies:
  • - Vitamin D Analogs: To maintain calcium homeostasis without exacerbating adynamic bone disease. 5 - Calcium Supplementation: Carefully managed to avoid hypercalcemia. 5

    Special Populations

  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients: Higher risk due to mineral metabolism disturbances; careful monitoring and management of phosphate and calcium levels are crucial. 4524
  • Elderly: Increased susceptibility to fractures despite normal bone density; individualized treatment plans are necessary. 24
  • Key Recommendations

  • Monitor Bone Turnover Markers: Regular assessment of bone turnover markers to detect suppression of bone remodeling. (Evidence: Moderate) 424
  • Adjust Bisphosphonate Therapy: Reduce or discontinue bisphosphonate therapy if adynamic bone disease is suspected based on clinical and laboratory findings. (Evidence: Moderate) 424
  • Optimize Mineral Metabolism: Maintain tight control over serum phosphorus and calcium levels to prevent further bone complications. (Evidence: Moderate) 524
  • Consider Bone Biopsy: Perform bone biopsy when clinically indicated to confirm diagnosis and guide treatment adjustments. (Evidence: Expert opinion) 4
  • References

    1 Öner N, Cüceoğlu MK, Könte EK, Kayhan E, Çakan M, Demir S et al.. Cutaneous manifestations of autoinflammatory bone diseases: a retrospective multicenter study. Clinical rheumatology 2026. link 2 Pasini M, Cavazzoni G, Dall'Ara E, Gould SL, Le Maitre C, Cristofolini L et al.. Intervertebral disc degeneration increases surface strain on metastatic vertebrae in compression and flexion but not in torsion. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials 2025. link 3 Tedesco NS, Mesko N, Wodajo F. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Metastatic Humeral Disease. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2024. link 4 Zeng Z, Zhou X, Wang Y, Cao H, Guo J, Wang P et al.. Mitophagy-A New Target of Bone Disease. Biomolecules 2022. link 5 Akimbekov NS, Digel I, Sherelkhan DK, Razzaque MS. Vitamin D and Phosphate Interactions in Health and Disease. Advances in experimental medicine and biology 2022. link 6 Yang DD, Baujat G, Neuraz A, Garcelon N, Messiaen C, Sandrin A et al.. Healthcare trajectory of children with rare bone disease attending pediatric emergency departments. Orphanet journal of rare diseases 2020. link 7 Guder C, Gravius S, Burger C, Wirtz DC, Schildberg FA. Osteoimmunology: A Current Update of the Interplay Between Bone and the Immune System. Frontiers in immunology 2020. link 8 Mehta TI, Heiberger C, Kazi S, Brown M, Weissman S, Hong K et al.. Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Painful Osseous Metastases: A Correlation Meta-Analysis with Machine Learning Cluster Identification. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR 2020. link 9 Kawai M, Kinoshita S, Yamazaki M, Yamamoto K, Rosen CJ, Shimba S et al.. Intestinal clock system regulates skeletal homeostasis. JCI insight 2019. link 10 Toller CS, Charlesworth S, Mihalyo M, Howard P, Wilcock A. Bisphosphonates: AHFS 92:24. Journal of pain and symptom management 2019. link 11 Tanigawa N, Arai Y, Yamakado K, Aramaki T, Inaba Y, Kanazawa S et al.. Phase I/II Study of Radiofrequency Ablation for Painful Bone Metastases: Japan Interventional Radiology in Oncology Study Group 0208. Cardiovascular and interventional radiology 2018. link 12 Grandl G, Wolfrum C. Adipocytes at the Core of Bone Function. Cell stem cell 2017. link 13 Idleburg C, DeLassus EN, Novack DV. Immunohistochemistry of skeletal tissues. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) 2015. link 14 Stern SM, Ferguson PJ. Autoinflammatory bone diseases. Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America 2013. link 15 . Abstracts of the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. October 12-15, 2012. Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2012. link 16 Arkader A, Phillips AL, Olch A, Wong K. A case of spontaneous hip dislocation that occurred during radiation therapy. Journal of pediatric orthopedics. Part B 2012. link 17 Buga S, Sarria JE. The management of pain in metastatic bone disease. Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center 2012. link 18 Rossi G, Mavrogenis AF, Rimondi E, Braccaioli L, Calabrò T, Ruggieri P. Selective embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for metastatic bone disease. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR 2011. link 19 Bickels J, Dadia S, Lidar Z. Surgical management of metastatic bone disease. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 2009. link 20 Gkialas I, Iordanidou L, Galanakis I, Giannopoulos S. The use of radioisotopes for palliation of metastatic bone pain. Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology 2008. link 21 Costa L, Badia X, Chow E, Lipton A, Wardley A. Impact of skeletal complications on patients' quality of life, mobility, and functional independence. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 2008. link 22 Delaney A, Fleetwood-Walker SM, Colvin LA, Fallon M. Translational medicine: cancer pain mechanisms and management. British journal of anaesthesia 2008. link 23 Hoffmann RT, Jakobs TF, Trumm C, Weber C, Helmberger TK, Reiser MF. Radiofrequency ablation in combination with osteoplasty in the treatment of painful metastatic bone disease. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR 2008. link 24 Major P. Optimal management of metastatic bone disease. European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society 2007. link 25 Sartor O, Reid RH, Bushnell DL, Quick DP, Ell PJ. Safety and efficacy of repeat administration of samarium Sm-153 lexidronam to patients with metastatic bone pain. Cancer 2007. link 26 Heatley S. Metastatic bone disease and tumour-induced hypercalcaemia: treatment options. International journal of palliative nursing 2004. link 27 Heidenreich A, Ohlmann C, Body JJ. Ibandronate in metastatic bone pain. Seminars in oncology 2004. link 28 Sapienza MT, Ono CR, Guimarães MI, Watanabe T, Costa PA, Buchpiguel CA. Retrospective evaluation of bone pain palliation after samarium-153-EDTMP therapy. Revista do Hospital das Clinicas 2004. link 29 Lee S, Finn L, Sze RW, Perkins JA, Sie KC. Gorham Stout syndrome (disappearing bone disease): two additional case reports and a review of the literature. Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery 2003. link 30 Hierholzer J, Anselmetti G, Fuchs H, Depriester C, Koch K, Pappert D. Percutaneous osteoplasty as a treatment for painful malignant bone lesions of the pelvis and femur. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR 2003. link 31 Salazar OM, Sandhu T, da Motta NW, Escutia MA, Lanzós-Gonzales E, Mouelle-Sone A et al.. Fractionated half-body irradiation (HBI) for the rapid palliation of widespread, symptomatic, metastatic bone disease: a randomized Phase III trial of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 2001. link01495-x) 32 Giannakenas C, Kalofonos HP, Apostolopoulos DJ, Zarakovitis J, Kosmas C, Vassilakos PJ. Preliminary results of the use of Re-186-HEDP for palliation of pain in patients with metastatic bone disease. American journal of clinical oncology 2000. link 33 Israel O, Keidar Z, Rubinov R, Iosilevski G, Frenkel A, Kuten A et al.. Quantitative bone single-photon emission computed tomography for prediction of pain relief in metastatic bone disease treated with rhenium-186 etidronate. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2000. link 34 Sasaki T, Miosge N, Timpl R. Immunochemical and tissue analysis of protease generated neoepitopes of BM-40 (osteonectin, SPARC) which are correlated to a higher affinity binding to collagens. Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology 1999. link00041-4) 35 Papatheofanis FJ. Variation in oncologic opinion regarding management of metastatic bone pain with systemic radionuclide therapy. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine 1999. link 36 Koeberle D, Bacchus L, Thuerlimann B, Senn HJ. Pamidronate treatment in patients with malignant osteolytic bone disease and pain: a prospective randomized double-blind trial. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 1999. link 37 Johnson MJ, Adam JS. Is it cancer or not?. Palliative medicine 1997. link 38 Krishnamurthy GT, Swailem FM, Srivastava SC, Atkins HL, Simpson LJ, Walsh TK et al.. Tin-117m(4+)DTPA: pharmacokinetics and imaging characteristics in patients with metastatic bone pain. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine 1997. link 39 Nightengale B, Brune M, Blizzard SP, Ashley-Johnson M, Slan S. Strontium chloride Sr 89 for treating pain from metastatic bone disease. American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 1995. link 40 Atkins HL, Mausner LF, Srivastava SC, Meinken GE, Cabahug CJ, D'Alessandro T. Tin-117m(4+)-DTPA for palliation of pain from osseous metastases: a pilot study. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine 1995. link 41 Rosalki SB. Bone-origin alkaline phosphatase in plasma by wheat-germ lectin methods in bone disease. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry 1994. link90211-9) 42 Chua ET, Chua EJ, Sethi VK. Half body irradiation for palliation of widespread metastatic bone disease. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 1994. link 43 Purohit OP, Anthony C, Radstone CR, Owen J, Coleman RE. High-dose intravenous pamidronate for metastatic bone pain. British journal of cancer 1994. link 44 Fallon MT, O'Neill WM. Spinal surgery in the treatment of metastatic back pain: three case reports. Palliative medicine 1993. link 45 Hosain F, Spencer RP. Radiopharmaceuticals for palliation of metastatic osseous lesions: biologic and physical background. Seminars in nuclear medicine 1992. link80152-7) 46 Robinson RG, Preston DF, Spicer JA, Baxter KG. Radionuclide therapy of intractable bone pain: emphasis on strontium-89. Seminars in nuclear medicine 1992. link80154-0) 47 Hoskin PJ, Ford HT, Harmer CL. Hemibody irradiation (HBI) for metastatic bone pain in two histologically distinct groups of patients. Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) 1989. link80037-8) 48 Sato S, Rahemtulla F, Prince CW, Tomana M, Butler WT. Acidic glycoproteins from bovine compact bone. Connective tissue research 1985. link 49 Furuta H. Cadmium effects on bone and dental tissues of rats in acute and subacute poisoning. Experientia 1978. link 50 Bergstedt HF, Haverling M. Facial bone scintigraphy. I. Metastatic lesions in the mandible. Acta radiologica: diagnosis 1978. link 51 Allen KL, Johnson TW, Hibbs GG. Effective bone palliation as related to various treatment regimens. Cancer 1976. link37:2<984::aid-cncr2820370255>3.0.co;2-c)

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Cutaneous manifestations of autoinflammatory bone diseases: a retrospective multicenter study.Öner N, Cüceoğlu MK, Könte EK, Kayhan E, Çakan M, Demir S et al. Clinical rheumatology (2026)
    2. [2]
      Intervertebral disc degeneration increases surface strain on metastatic vertebrae in compression and flexion but not in torsion.Pasini M, Cavazzoni G, Dall'Ara E, Gould SL, Le Maitre C, Cristofolini L et al. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials (2025)
    3. [3]
      The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Metastatic Humeral Disease.Tedesco NS, Mesko N, Wodajo F The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2024)
    4. [4]
      Mitophagy-A New Target of Bone Disease.Zeng Z, Zhou X, Wang Y, Cao H, Guo J, Wang P et al. Biomolecules (2022)
    5. [5]
      Vitamin D and Phosphate Interactions in Health and Disease.Akimbekov NS, Digel I, Sherelkhan DK, Razzaque MS Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2022)
    6. [6]
      Healthcare trajectory of children with rare bone disease attending pediatric emergency departments.Yang DD, Baujat G, Neuraz A, Garcelon N, Messiaen C, Sandrin A et al. Orphanet journal of rare diseases (2020)
    7. [7]
      Osteoimmunology: A Current Update of the Interplay Between Bone and the Immune System.Guder C, Gravius S, Burger C, Wirtz DC, Schildberg FA Frontiers in immunology (2020)
    8. [8]
      Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Painful Osseous Metastases: A Correlation Meta-Analysis with Machine Learning Cluster Identification.Mehta TI, Heiberger C, Kazi S, Brown M, Weissman S, Hong K et al. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR (2020)
    9. [9]
      Intestinal clock system regulates skeletal homeostasis.Kawai M, Kinoshita S, Yamazaki M, Yamamoto K, Rosen CJ, Shimba S et al. JCI insight (2019)
    10. [10]
      Bisphosphonates: AHFS 92:24.Toller CS, Charlesworth S, Mihalyo M, Howard P, Wilcock A Journal of pain and symptom management (2019)
    11. [11]
      Phase I/II Study of Radiofrequency Ablation for Painful Bone Metastases: Japan Interventional Radiology in Oncology Study Group 0208.Tanigawa N, Arai Y, Yamakado K, Aramaki T, Inaba Y, Kanazawa S et al. Cardiovascular and interventional radiology (2018)
    12. [12]
      Adipocytes at the Core of Bone Function.Grandl G, Wolfrum C Cell stem cell (2017)
    13. [13]
      Immunohistochemistry of skeletal tissues.Idleburg C, DeLassus EN, Novack DV Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) (2015)
    14. [14]
      Autoinflammatory bone diseases.Stern SM, Ferguson PJ Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America (2013)
    15. [15]
      Abstracts of the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. October 12-15, 2012. Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (2012)
    16. [16]
      A case of spontaneous hip dislocation that occurred during radiation therapy.Arkader A, Phillips AL, Olch A, Wong K Journal of pediatric orthopedics. Part B (2012)
    17. [17]
      The management of pain in metastatic bone disease.Buga S, Sarria JE Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center (2012)
    18. [18]
      Selective embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for metastatic bone disease.Rossi G, Mavrogenis AF, Rimondi E, Braccaioli L, Calabrò T, Ruggieri P Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR (2011)
    19. [19]
      Surgical management of metastatic bone disease.Bickels J, Dadia S, Lidar Z The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume (2009)
    20. [20]
      The use of radioisotopes for palliation of metastatic bone pain.Gkialas I, Iordanidou L, Galanakis I, Giannopoulos S Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology (2008)
    21. [21]
      Impact of skeletal complications on patients' quality of life, mobility, and functional independence.Costa L, Badia X, Chow E, Lipton A, Wardley A Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (2008)
    22. [22]
      Translational medicine: cancer pain mechanisms and management.Delaney A, Fleetwood-Walker SM, Colvin LA, Fallon M British journal of anaesthesia (2008)
    23. [23]
      Radiofrequency ablation in combination with osteoplasty in the treatment of painful metastatic bone disease.Hoffmann RT, Jakobs TF, Trumm C, Weber C, Helmberger TK, Reiser MF Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR (2008)
    24. [24]
      Optimal management of metastatic bone disease.Major P European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society (2007)
    25. [25]
    26. [26]
      Metastatic bone disease and tumour-induced hypercalcaemia: treatment options.Heatley S International journal of palliative nursing (2004)
    27. [27]
      Ibandronate in metastatic bone pain.Heidenreich A, Ohlmann C, Body JJ Seminars in oncology (2004)
    28. [28]
      Retrospective evaluation of bone pain palliation after samarium-153-EDTMP therapy.Sapienza MT, Ono CR, Guimarães MI, Watanabe T, Costa PA, Buchpiguel CA Revista do Hospital das Clinicas (2004)
    29. [29]
      Gorham Stout syndrome (disappearing bone disease): two additional case reports and a review of the literature.Lee S, Finn L, Sze RW, Perkins JA, Sie KC Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (2003)
    30. [30]
      Percutaneous osteoplasty as a treatment for painful malignant bone lesions of the pelvis and femur.Hierholzer J, Anselmetti G, Fuchs H, Depriester C, Koch K, Pappert D Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR (2003)
    31. [31]
      Fractionated half-body irradiation (HBI) for the rapid palliation of widespread, symptomatic, metastatic bone disease: a randomized Phase III trial of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).Salazar OM, Sandhu T, da Motta NW, Escutia MA, Lanzós-Gonzales E, Mouelle-Sone A et al. International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics (2001)
    32. [32]
      Preliminary results of the use of Re-186-HEDP for palliation of pain in patients with metastatic bone disease.Giannakenas C, Kalofonos HP, Apostolopoulos DJ, Zarakovitis J, Kosmas C, Vassilakos PJ American journal of clinical oncology (2000)
    33. [33]
      Quantitative bone single-photon emission computed tomography for prediction of pain relief in metastatic bone disease treated with rhenium-186 etidronate.Israel O, Keidar Z, Rubinov R, Iosilevski G, Frenkel A, Kuten A et al. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2000)
    34. [34]
      Immunochemical and tissue analysis of protease generated neoepitopes of BM-40 (osteonectin, SPARC) which are correlated to a higher affinity binding to collagens.Sasaki T, Miosge N, Timpl R Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology (1999)
    35. [35]
      Variation in oncologic opinion regarding management of metastatic bone pain with systemic radionuclide therapy.Papatheofanis FJ Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine (1999)
    36. [36]
      Pamidronate treatment in patients with malignant osteolytic bone disease and pain: a prospective randomized double-blind trial.Koeberle D, Bacchus L, Thuerlimann B, Senn HJ Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (1999)
    37. [37]
      Is it cancer or not?Johnson MJ, Adam JS Palliative medicine (1997)
    38. [38]
      Tin-117m(4+)DTPA: pharmacokinetics and imaging characteristics in patients with metastatic bone pain.Krishnamurthy GT, Swailem FM, Srivastava SC, Atkins HL, Simpson LJ, Walsh TK et al. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine (1997)
    39. [39]
      Strontium chloride Sr 89 for treating pain from metastatic bone disease.Nightengale B, Brune M, Blizzard SP, Ashley-Johnson M, Slan S American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (1995)
    40. [40]
      Tin-117m(4+)-DTPA for palliation of pain from osseous metastases: a pilot study.Atkins HL, Mausner LF, Srivastava SC, Meinken GE, Cabahug CJ, D'Alessandro T Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine (1995)
    41. [41]
      Bone-origin alkaline phosphatase in plasma by wheat-germ lectin methods in bone disease.Rosalki SB Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (1994)
    42. [42]
      Half body irradiation for palliation of widespread metastatic bone disease.Chua ET, Chua EJ, Sethi VK Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (1994)
    43. [43]
      High-dose intravenous pamidronate for metastatic bone pain.Purohit OP, Anthony C, Radstone CR, Owen J, Coleman RE British journal of cancer (1994)
    44. [44]
      Spinal surgery in the treatment of metastatic back pain: three case reports.Fallon MT, O'Neill WM Palliative medicine (1993)
    45. [45]
    46. [46]
      Radionuclide therapy of intractable bone pain: emphasis on strontium-89.Robinson RG, Preston DF, Spicer JA, Baxter KG Seminars in nuclear medicine (1992)
    47. [47]
      Hemibody irradiation (HBI) for metastatic bone pain in two histologically distinct groups of patients.Hoskin PJ, Ford HT, Harmer CL Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) (1989)
    48. [48]
      Acidic glycoproteins from bovine compact bone.Sato S, Rahemtulla F, Prince CW, Tomana M, Butler WT Connective tissue research (1985)
    49. [49]
    50. [50]
      Facial bone scintigraphy. I. Metastatic lesions in the mandible.Bergstedt HF, Haverling M Acta radiologica: diagnosis (1978)
    51. [51]
      Effective bone palliation as related to various treatment regimens.Allen KL, Johnson TW, Hibbs GG Cancer (1976)

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