Functional and Morphological Characterization of Multiple Osteochondromas Disorder

Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas (HMO) disease, also known as 'Hereditary Multiple Exostosis', is a rare autosomal dominant musculoskeletal disorder whose prevalence is estimated at 1:50000. It is characterised by benign osteo-cartilaginous tumours called 'osteochondromas' or 'exostoses', cartilage capped bony outgrowths that originate from the perichondrium of long bones and from the surface of flat bones. The development and growth of exostoses occur in parallel with the growth of the subject and then stop at skeletal maturity. HMO is characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity and the most important complication is malignant transformation of osteochondroma towards secondary peripheral chondrosarcoma, which is estimated to occur in 0.5-5%. In most case, the disease is characterized by a broad-spectrum of mutations in the EXT1 and EXT2 genes coding for transmembrane glycoproteins with glycosyl-transferase activity.

Patients with HMO are subject to functional and postural alterations of the musculoskeletal system caused by bone deformities that begin to appear at an early age. The characterization and monitoring of residual mobility is essential to objectively quantify the motor and morphological deficit and to understand the mechanisms of action and evolution of this pathology. To date, there are no studies in the literature on the instrumental characterisation of OM. Furthermore, although skeletal structure deformities are one of the main causes of functional alterations, studies on the description and instrumental characterisation of macroscopic morphological alterations are limited. The expected results are morphological data (shape, position, size and numerosity) of osteochondromas and functional data (range of motion of the joints affected by the pathology). Other expected results are: accuracy and repeatability of the instruments to be used for monitoring pathology; an overall evaluation of the experience by means of an evaluation questionnaire; information on the feasibility of the pilot study for the implementation of a study on a larger cohort; identification of new prevention and treatment strategies in patients with rare diseases clinically similar to OM (e.g. metachondromatosis) or for other skeletal diseases that are not rare but widespread (e.g. osteoarthritis).

Inclusion criteria

For multiple osteochondromas cohort inclusion criteria are:

• clinical and/or molecular diagnosis of Multiple Osteochondromas;
• male and female subjects;
• age minors: 6-17 years at enrollment and adult age: 18-40 years at enrollment;
• collection of appropriate informed consent;
• ability to walk a linear path without aids;
• presence of multiple osteochondromas localized at lower limbs;
• ability to undergo all procedures required by the protocol.

For healthy cohort inclusion criteria are:

• absence of neuro-muskuloskeletal or other limb-limiting conditions in the lower limbs;
• male and female subjects;
• age minors: 6-17 years at enrollment and adult age: 18-40 years at enrollment;
• collection of appropriate informed consent;
• ability to undergo all procedures required by the protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Persons who do not fit the inclusion criteria;
• Any reason which, in the opinion of the investigator, would result in the inability of the participant to comply with the protocol.
• BMI equal to or greater than 30.