Wishbone Day Date in the current year: May 6, 2025

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, is characterized by bones that break easily. Other symptoms include blue tint to the whites of the eyes, short height, loose joints, breathing problems, hearing loss, and dentinogenesis imperfecta (tooth development disorder). Symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the type of OI.

OI is usually caused by a lack of, or poorly formed, type I collagen, as a result of mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes, which can be inherited or occur spontaneously. However, in about 10% of cases OI is caused by mutations in other genes. There are four main types of OI:

• Type I – mild: collagen is of normal quality but is produced in insufficient amounts.
• Type II – fatal in the perinatal period (shortly after birth or within the first year of life): collagen is fatally defective.
• Type III – severe, progressive and deforming: the quantity of collagen is sufficient, but its quality is inadequate.
• Type IV – variable and deforming, but usually with normal whites: the quantity of collagen is sufficient, but its quality is inadequate.

These types are caused by mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes. There are seventeen more genetic types of OI, depending on the gene affected. There clinical features are usually the same as in one of the four main types.

There is no cure for osteogenesis imperfecta. Treatment focuses on symptom management and may include broken bone care, physical therapy, pain medication, surgery, and mobility aids (braces, crutches, wheelchairs, etc.). Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent fractures.

The prognosis for patients with OI depends on the type of OI and the severity of symptoms. Patients with type I usually have a near-normal life expectancy and can achieve a significant degree of autonomy. Type II is almost inevitably fatal within the first years or even weeks of life. Life expectancy in type III is lower than in the general population, and life expectancy in type IV is close to normal. However, much depends on lifestyle choices.

Wishbone Day, also known as the International Day of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, was initiated by a group of Australian volunteers in 2010 and has grown to become the largest international awareness event dedicated to OI, with more than 90 countries participating. Its main aim is to raise awareness of the challenges of living with OI, the varied lives of people with the condition and their contributions.

Wishbone Day is a social movement organized by people with OI to talk about the things that matter most to them. It is not a fundraising event, and the organizers ask that no Wishbone Day merchandise be produced to be sold for fundraising or profit. You can participate by wearing yellow (yellow was chosen as the Wishbone Day awareness color because it symbolizes optimism), organizing an awareness event in your community, and spreading the word on social media using the hashtag #WishboneDay.