The MHE Research Foundation

About The MHE Research Foundation

The MHE Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization for the support of researchers, families and physicians dealing with (MHE) Multiple Hereditary Exostoses / (MO) Multiple Osteochondroma a rare genetic bone disease. The MHE Research Foundation five point mission is to REACH, advance and support the following. RESEARCH, to help fund research programs, so one day a treatment / cure for MHE can be found. EDUCATION, to provide clinical information, guides to help benefit both families and physicians. ADVOCACY, to bring awareness about this disease in all areas throughout the world. CLINICAL, to help provide informational resources to families enabling them to find the medical care they need. HOPE, is that the research being conducted on MHE, and the information and resources will bring a better quality of life to the families affected by this disease. Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE) is a genetic bone disorder in which benign cartilage-capped tumors (exostoses or osteochondromas) grow from the growth plates of long bones or from the surface of flat bones throughout the body. These exostoses can cause numerous problems, such as: compression of peripheral nerves or vessels; irritation of tendons and muscles resulting in pain and loss of motion; skeletal deformity; short stature; limb length discrepancy; chronic pain and fatigue; mobility issues; early onset arthritis; and an increased risk of developing chondrosarcoma. MHE is an autosomalnt genetic disease and patients have a 50% chance of passing this disorder on to their children. It is not uncommon for MHE patients to undergo numerous surgical procedures throughout their lives to remove painful or deforming exostoses, to correct limb length discrepancies or to improve range of motion. Surgery, physical therapy and pain management are currently the only options available to MHE patients, but their success varies from patient to patient and many struggle with pain, fatigue and mobility problems throughout their lives.