Paget Disease of Bone Paget disease is a condition that makes the bones grow faster than normal. This leads to bones that are larger and weaker than normal. Healthy bones rebuild themselves by destroying old bone and replacing it with new bone tissue. This process usually slows down as a person gets older. If you have Paget disease, the process speeds up instead. As a result, your bones become weaker and larger. The new bone tissue may have more blood vessels. These changes can cause the bone to have an abnormal shape (deformity). These bones may bend or break more easily than healthy bones. Paget disease may affect just a few bones or bones all over the body. Bones in the arms, legs, spine, pelvis, and skull are often affected. CAUSES …show more content…
• Changes in the shape of the skull or other bones. • Hearing loss, if the bones of the skull are affected. In some cases, there are no symptoms. DIAGNOSIS This condition may be diagnosed based on: • A physical exam and medical history. • Blood and urine tests to check whether the levels of calcium and alkaline phosphatase are higher than normal. These substances may increase with abnormal bone growth. • Imaging studies, such as X-rays and bone scans. TREATMENT Treatment for this condition depends on symptoms and the area of the body that is affected. Treatment may not be needed if you do not have symptoms. You may get treatment if the condition is causing symptoms, affecting your skull, or putting you at risk for a bone fracture. The goal of treatment is to relieve bone pain and to prevent the condition from getting worse. Treatment may include: • Medicines, such as: ○ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain. ○ Bisphosphonates to slow down bone growth and reduce pain. You may have to take this medicine for several months. It is usually taken by mouth but can also be given through an IV tube. ○ A chemical messenger (hormone) called calcitonin. This hormone slows down bone activity. It is given as an injection under the