Abnormal bone growth can be caused by various factors, including:
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Genetic changes: Some conditions, such as fibrous dysplasia and Pagets disease of bone, are caused by genetic changes that alter the usual growth of bone's connective tissue. In the case of melorheostosis, the disease is caused by somatic gene mutations that occur during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain bone cells in a particular area of the body.
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Injury or trauma: Excess bone formation can be spurred by an injury or trauma, even as mild as a vaccination. In children, bone disorders can be caused by forces exerted on the growth plates during development, leading to gradual misalignment of bones and damage to the growth plate.
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Infection or cancer: Bone disorders can be caused by infections or cancerous growths in the bone.
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Hormonal imbalances: Some bone disorders, such as Paget's disease of bone, may be associated with hormonal imbalances, although the exact cause is not fully understood.
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Unknown reasons: In some cases, the cause of abnormal bone growth is not known. Osteochondroma, the most common noncancerous bone growth, does not have a known exact cause. Similarly, some bone disorders in children may occur for no known reason.
