Paget's disease of bone, simply referred to as Paget’s disease is a medical condition that interferes with the normal cycle of bone renewal resulting in weak and possibly deformed bones. Particularly prevalent in older females, it is a common condition in the UK and is rare in people aged less than 50 years. Many treatments can keep this disorder under control for a long period of time; however, this can result in constant pain and numerous other problems in many women. This disease can affect single or multiple bones. Commonly affected bones are pelvis, spine and skull. Common symptoms of Paget's disease of bone includes constant and dull pain in bones, joint pain, stiffness with swelling, a sharp pain across the body, numbness and tingling, or loss of movement in a part of the body. In many cases, no symptoms are present and the condition is diagnosed during tests carried out for another reason. One should immediately see a doctor ifpersistent bone or joint pain, deformities in any of your bones, symptoms of a nerve problem like numbness, tingling or loss of movement are observed.
Causes of Paget's disease
To fully understand the underlying cause of the disease, it is important to know what is bone resorption and remodeling. Cells in your bone regenerate in a similar manner as skin. Old bone is eliminated; this is called resorption and replaced by a new bone; this process is bone remodelling.
Two types of bone cells are responsible for this:
• Cells that absorb old bone (called osteoclasts)
• Cells that form new bone (called osteoblasts)
In Paget's disease of bone, bone resorption is done at a rate which is much faster than normal rate of bone resorption by the osteoclast cells. The osteoblasts then increase the rate of bone remodelling; thus, resulting in a bone which is much larger and weaker than normal. Main or primary trigger for this process is not yet known; however, risk is high if there is a family history of Paget's disease of bone as some genetic mutation or fault can be inherited which makes a person more prone to develop the condition.
Treatments for Paget's disease of bone
• There is no permanent cure for the disease but drugs and medications are available for symptomatic treatment and efficient disease management. The main treatments are:
• Bisphosphonate medications: These are medicines that control bone regeneration. E.g. Alendronate sodium ( Fosamax Generic )
• Painkillers:These are available OTC. E.g. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
• Supportive management: these include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and use of devices like walking sticks or shoe inserts
• Surgery: This may be needed if other treatment options fail and problems like fractures, deformities or severe joint damage occurs.
• Calcium and vitamin D may help.
Further Complications
These include:
• Fragile bones that break more easily
• Enlarged or deformed bones
• Permanent hearing loss (in case skull is affected)
• High blood calcium levels
• Heart problems
• bone cancer although this is rare
Other types of Paget's disease
• Paget's disease of the breast or nipple: A rare type of breast cancer
• Paget's disease of the penis:A rare type of penile cancer
• Paget's disease of the vulva: A rare type of vulval cancer
Causes of Paget's disease
To fully understand the underlying cause of the disease, it is important to know what is bone resorption and remodeling. Cells in your bone regenerate in a similar manner as skin. Old bone is eliminated; this is called resorption and replaced by a new bone; this process is bone remodelling.
Two types of bone cells are responsible for this:
• Cells that absorb old bone (called osteoclasts)
• Cells that form new bone (called osteoblasts)
In Paget's disease of bone, bone resorption is done at a rate which is much faster than normal rate of bone resorption by the osteoclast cells. The osteoblasts then increase the rate of bone remodelling; thus, resulting in a bone which is much larger and weaker than normal. Main or primary trigger for this process is not yet known; however, risk is high if there is a family history of Paget's disease of bone as some genetic mutation or fault can be inherited which makes a person more prone to develop the condition.
Treatments for Paget's disease of bone
• There is no permanent cure for the disease but drugs and medications are available for symptomatic treatment and efficient disease management. The main treatments are:
• Bisphosphonate medications: These are medicines that control bone regeneration. E.g. Alendronate sodium ( Fosamax Generic )
• Painkillers:These are available OTC. E.g. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
• Supportive management: these include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and use of devices like walking sticks or shoe inserts
• Surgery: This may be needed if other treatment options fail and problems like fractures, deformities or severe joint damage occurs.
• Calcium and vitamin D may help.
Further Complications
These include:
• Fragile bones that break more easily
• Enlarged or deformed bones
• Permanent hearing loss (in case skull is affected)
• High blood calcium levels
• Heart problems
• bone cancer although this is rare
Other types of Paget's disease
• Paget's disease of the breast or nipple: A rare type of breast cancer
• Paget's disease of the penis:A rare type of penile cancer
• Paget's disease of the vulva: A rare type of vulval cancer
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