Chronic intoxication with fluoride can seriously affect a patient's bones.
Mechanism: High levels of fluoride impair bone resorption by affecting the osteoclast.
Findings:
(1) bone pain or diffuse aching
(2) sclerotic bones on imaging studies with increased density
(3) bones that are brittle, with an increased risk of vertebral and other fractures
(4) very high levels of fluoride in serum, urine and nails
Therapy with fluoride to reverse osteoporosis is unlikely to be effective since the resultant bone is of poor quality.
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Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic
