Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Paget's disease is a chronic bone condition characterized by disorder of the normal bone remodeling process. Normal bone has a synchronized relationship of mechanisms that act to lay down new bone and take up old bone. This relationship (referred to as remodeling) is essential for maintaining the normal calcium levels in our blood. In bone affected by Paget's disease, the bone remodeling is disturbed and not synchronized. As a result, the bone that is formed is abnormal, enlarged, not as dense, brittle, and prone to breakage (fracture).
Paget's disease affects older bone of adults. It's estimated that 1% of adults in the U.S. have Paget's disease. There is an extremely rare form of Paget's disease in children, referred to as juvenile Paget's disease. Paget's disease is also known as osteitis deformans.
It is not known what causes Paget's disease. Recently, certain genes have been associated with Paget's disease, including the Sequestrosome 1 gene on chromosome 5. Virus infection may be necessary to trigger Paget's disease in people who have inherited the genetic tendency to develop the condition.
Paget's disease commonly causes no symptoms and is incidentally noted when X-ray tests are obtained for other reasons. However, Paget's disease can cause bone pain, deformity, fracture, and arthritis. The bone pain of Paget's disease is located in the affected bone. The most common bones affected by Paget's disease include the spine, the thigh bone (femur), the pelvis, the skull, the collar bone (clavicle), and the upper arm bone (humerus).
The symptoms of Paget's disease depend on the bones affected and the severity of the disease. Enlarged bones can pinch adjacent nerves, causing tingling and numbness. Bowing of the legs can occur. Hip or knee involvement can lead to limping, as well as pain and stiffness of the hip or knee. Headache, loss of vision, and hearing loss can occur when bones of the skull are affected. With very widespread Paget's disease, it is possible to develop congestive heart failure due to an increased workload on the heart.
The symptoms of Paget's disease vary from patient to patient. What were the symptoms at the onset of your disease?
Links will open in a new window on MedicineNet.com
Get the latest treatment options
 |
RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
Updated & New