Paget's Disease

What is Paget’s disease?

Paget’s disease is a medical condition characterized by faulty bone formation and bone deformities. The new bones formed are usually weak and brittle. After osteoporosis, it is the second most common bone metabolism disorder. When these bones fracture, they take much longer to heal. This is due to defects in the bone renewal process. It is most commonly seen in the legs, skull, pelvis and spine.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

The common signs and symptoms are:

• Bone or joint pain.
• Redness of the skin.
• Tenderness.
• Swelling in the bones or joints.
• Fracture of the bones.
• Abnormally large bones.
• Cartilage damage.
• Stiffness in joints or bones.
• Loss of movement or sensation in body parts because the nerves get compressed due to the enlargement of bones.
• Stomach pain.
• Constipation.
• Weakness.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.

What are the main causes?

The exact cause is still unknown. However, it is believed that the factors mentioned below might cause it:

• Abnormal functioning of the osteoclasts (cells that absorb the old bone) and osteoblasts (cells that form the new bone).
• Some kind of infection in bone cells caused by the rubeola virus.
• Heredity is another factor as the condition tends to be found running in families.
• The age factor is also important as it is rarely seen in persons under 40 years.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

It can be diagnosed by various methods such as:

• Physical examination
  It helps in finding any irregularities in the bone shape and size.
• Blood tests
  Presence of phosphatase in blood as it is an indicator of Paget’s disease.
• X-ray  
  It confirms the disease and also helps in detecting fractures and low bone density.

Though full recovery is impossible, treatments can slow down the bone turnover and control the impact of the disease. The treatments are:

• If there are severe bone fractures or damage or deformation of bones due to Paget’s disease, then surgery is the treatment of choice.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Analgesics (pain relievers).
• Bisphosphonate drugs that help in blocking the action of osteoclasts.

1. National Osteoporosis Foundation I 251 18th St. S, Suite #630 I Arlington, VA 22202 I (800) 231-4222. What is Paget’s Disease?.
2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [Internet] Rosemont, Illinois, United States; Paget's Disease of Bone.
3. National Institutes of Health; [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Paget disease of bone
4. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [Internet]. National Institute of Health; Paget’s Disease of Bone.
5. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: US National Library of Medicine; Paget's Disease of Bone
6. Better health channel. Department of Health and Human Services [internet]. State government of Victoria; Paget's disease of bone
7. healthdirect Australia. Paget's disease of bone. Australian government: Department of Health