Paget's disease is a chronic disease that is characterized by the abnormal growth of certain parts of a bone. Its main signs and symptoms are stiff joints, tiredness, deep bone pain, with a tendency to worsen at night, and bone deformities.
This disease usually appears in men over 40 years of age and the uncontrolled increase can occur in any bone, although it is more frequent in the skull, femur, tibia and spine. It is also called deforming osteitis and is more common in Europe and the United States, being rare in Brazil.
In this disease, the bones become fragile due to the increase in osteoclasts that lead to a high reabsorption of bone mass, which is followed by a disorganized bone repair and with this the bone becomes very strong in one part and very fragile in another part, that favors its breakdown. The disease can affect only 1 or several bones at the same time.
Symptoms of Paget's Disease
Most of the time Paget's disease does not show any symptoms, but the most common is pain in the bones but as the disease can affect only one bone the pain can be localized and be confused with other diseases. The signs that may indicate Paget's disease are already related to its complications, which may be:
- Bone pain and joint deformity, Frequent bone fractures, Increased spine kyphosis (hump), Osteoporosis, Arched legs, Deafness caused by enlarged skull bones.
Although the causes are not yet fully known, it is known that Paget's disease may be related to a latent viral infection, because viruses have already been found in the affected bones, although it is not known exactly how they got there, it is also known that there is a genetic condition and therefore people of the same family are more affected and it is believed that it may have some relationship with hyperparathyroidism, however in most cases it is not possible to know its cause.
Diagnosis of Paget's Disease
The diagnosis is made by X-ray and scintigraphy, but a blood test that measures the amount of an enzyme produced in bone cells, calcium and phosphorus in the blood can also be ordered by the doctor. Calcium and potassium values may be normal and alkaline phosphatase is generally elevated.
See the symptoms and how the disease is diagnosed here.
Treatment of Paget's Disease
The treatment for Paget's Disease is made with anti-inflammatories and analgesics, which reduce the pain and discomfort caused. Bone activity modulating drugs can also be used in cases where the disease is most active.
In addition to medications, it is important to do physical therapy to control symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Surgery is the most appropriate treatment in cases of nerve compression or to replace a damaged joint.
Find out which remedies are indicated and how physiotherapy can help in: How to treat Paget's disease to avoid surgery.
