HME can lead to the shortening and bowing of bones; affected individuals often have a short stature. Depending on their location the exostoses can cause the following problems: pain or numbness from nerve compression, vascular compromise, inequality of limb length, irritation of tendon and muscle, Madelung's deformity[16] as well as a limited range of motion at the joints upon which they encroach. A person with HME has an increased risk of developing a rare form of bone cancer called chondrosarcoma as an adult.[16] Problems may be had in later life and these could include weak bones and nerve damage.[17][18][19] The reported rate of transformation ranges from as low as 0.57%[12] to as high as 8.3% of people with HME.[20]