Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo undergoes fourth operation for rare bone disorder
STRANGER Things star Gaten Matarazzo has undergone his fourth operation for a rare bone disorder.
The 17-year-old actor - who plays Dustin in the hit Netflix series - has a genetic disorder called Cleidocranial Dysplasia.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Gaten shared a picture from his hospital bed, giving fans the thumbs up before heading into surgery.
He wrote alongside it: "Surgery number 4! This is a big one! To learn more about Cleidocranial Dysplasia and how you can help those with the condition you can go to ccdsmiles.org."
His co-star Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, was quick to send her support, writing: "Good luck love!!! sending my love gate".
Carla Buono, who plays Karen Wheeler, added: "Sending you supernova good vibes. Love you."
Meanwhile Matty Cardarpole said: "You're super brave and strong man. Good vibes to you."
The condition affects the bones in his skull, particularly around his mouth, and Gaten has suffered from the disorder since birth.
Gaten previously revealed his appearance had hindered him getting roles in the past before Stranger Things.
He told The Doctors: "It’s one of the reasons why I haven’t been getting roles, because of my lisp, and the teeth situation, and my height.
What is Cleidocranial Dysplasia?
Cleidocranial Dysplasia is a condition that primarily affects the development of the bones and teeth.
Individuals with cleidocranial dysplasia usually have underdeveloped or absent collarbones (clavicles). As a result, their shoulders are narrow and sloping, can be brought unusually close together in front of the body, and in some cases the shoulders can be made to meet in the middle of the body.
Affected individuals may be 3 to 6 inches shorter than other members of their family, and may have:
- short, tapered fingers and broad thumbs;
- short forearms;
- flat feet;
- knock knees; and
- an abnormal curvature of the spine
Characteristic facial features may include:
- a wide, short skull (brachycephaly);
- a prominent forehead;
- wide-set eyes (hypertelorism);
- a flat nose
- small upper jaw
Dental abnormalities seen in cleidocranial dysplasia may include:
- delayed loss of the primary (baby) teeth;
- delayed appearance of the secondary (adult) teeth;
- unusually shaped, peg-like teeth;
- misalignment of the teeth and jaws (malocclusion); and
- extra teeth, sometimes accompanied by cysts in the gums
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"That affected pretty much everything. I would go three times a week for auditions all the time and get constant ‘no’".
Meanwhile on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2016, he explained more about his condition and why he insisted Dustin have it in the show too.
He said: "It affects your facial growth, your skull growth; it affects your teeth, so that's why I don't have any.
"I feel like putting it into the show is really raising awareness for it."
"I just want to raise awareness for it and let people know that it's not something they should be afraid of showing."
Stranger Things seasons 1-3 are available to stream now on Netflix.