How to treat the disease and paget

Treatment is usually done with analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, and also modulators of bone activity in cases where the disease is more active to strengthen bones. In addition, it is important to undergo physical therapy to control pain and inflammation, decrease the risk of deformities and improve body posture. In more advanced cases, it may be necessary to perform orthopedic surgeries.

Paget's disease is a metabolic bone disease, of unknown origin that usually affects the pelvic region, femur, tibia, spine vertebrae, clavicle and humerus. It is characterized by the destruction of bone tissue, which is then re-formed but with deformities. The new bone that is formed is structurally larger but weaker and with a lot of calcification.

It usually appears after 60 years of age, although from 40 there are already documented cases. It has a benign manifestation and most patients have no symptoms for a long time, and as it occurs most of the time in old age, the symptoms are often confused with other diseases such as arthritis or osteoarthritis, imposed by age.

Physiotherapy for Paget's Disease

Physiotherapy must be personally guided by a physiotherapist and must be individualized because each person must have their treatment appropriate to their needs. Some strategies that can be indicated are:

• Use of devices such as short waves, infrared, ultrasound and tension; Therapeutic massage; Muscle stretching in the most affected areas. See some examples of stretches to fight back pain. Muscle strengthening exercises; Mobilization of joints to improve lubrication and range of motion; Active and resisted exercises manually or with weights to strengthen muscles and joints; Exercises and reeducation techniques hydrotherapy sessions are also good options because they do not harm the bones; improvement of fatigue, attention to lung function when

  care for neurological patients

Treatments can be carried out to avoid possible falls due to weakness in the legs and imbalance that can cause fractures, and care must be taken to improve tiredness and improve breathing, which may also be affected due to difficulty in expanding the chest.

Regular physical exercise is a great option for people who have Paget's disease however these should only be indicated by the physical therapist. This professional can also indicate the use of crutches or walkers to facilitate walking, reducing the risk of falls. See also other strategies to prevent falls in the elderly.

Preferably sessions should be held daily or at least 3 times a week to improve cardiovascular fitness, promote independence and improve quality of life and although physical therapy is not able to cure Paget's disease it is very important to reduce complications movements imposed by the progress of the disease.

Paget's Disease Remedies

The remedies must be indicated by the doctor and can be taken daily or at certain times of the year, as needed. Some indicated are bisphosphonates in tablet or injection form such as alendronate, pamidronate, risedronate or zoledronic acid, or medications such as calcitonin, in addition to calcium carbonate tablets associated with cholecalciferol.

Affected people are usually followed up every 3 months so that the doctor can see if the drugs are working or if they need to be changed and when the person is more stable, follow-up can be done every 6 months or every year and it must remain for life because the disease has no cure and can cause severe deformities.

Food to strengthen bones

The nutritionist may recommend the consumption of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to improve bone health, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, fish, eggs and seafood. These foods should be consumed daily, and skimmed milk products should preferably be chosen to avoid excess fat in the diet.

To increase the production of vitamin D in the body it is important to sunbathe for at least 20 minutes every day, without using sunscreen, as this vitamin is produced in the skin. In addition, regular physical activity helps to increase the absorption of calcium in the intestine and its fixation in the bones, helping to fight the disease.

Paget's Disease Surgery

Usually, well-oriented physiotherapeutic treatment is capable of bringing numerous benefits to the person, postponing or avoiding surgery, however, the treatment must be strictly complied with.

Surgery can be an option when physiotherapy is not enough to combat symptoms and deformities, when there is nerve compression or when the person needs to replace the joint and if there is severe degeneration that causes severe pain and movement blockage.

The orthopedist can replace the joint and after this procedure it is necessary to return to physiotherapy to prevent complications and improve the range and strength of body movements, thus facilitating the person's daily life.

See the necessary care before and after surgery.