what is a exostosis
An exostosis in simple terms is an extra piece of formed bone. Generally this is an outgrowth of an existing bone of the foot or ankle. The exostosis may also break off the existing bone to become a free fragment or a loose body within or around a joint. Some of the more common areas of an exostosis formation is underneath a toenail as a subungual exostosis. An exostosis of a bone in the toe can form a digital corn. Any traumatic event that leads to degenerative changes around a joint will commonly form an exostosis.
Top 10 facts about the world. Exostosis is a benign bony outgrowth. It can occur anywhere in the body, and may be caused by a number of different things, ranging from environmental stresses to genetics. When someone develops an exostosis, the outgrowth may become painful or aesthetically displeasing, in which case surgery is a treatment option. In other cases, the growth may be allowed to remain, with a doctor keeping an eye on it to identify any early signs of complications which may emerge.