Posted on July 7, 2008 in Latest News
Paget’s disease, also known as osteitis deformans, refers to a chronic disorder which typically results in deformed and enlarged bones. The bones break down more quickly, and when they grow again they are softer than normal bone.
Who is prone to Paget’s disease?
Paget’s disease is very rarely diagnosed in those less than 40 years of age. Men are more usually affected compared to women. The incidence of Paget’s disease ranges from 1.5 to 8 percent and depends on age and area of residence. Prevalence of familial Paget’s disease (where more than one family member has the disease) ranges from 10 to 40 percent in different parts of the world.
Symptoms
- Bones may break easily because they are weakened
- If leg bones are affected, you might observe that your legs bow, or a leg may appear to shrink
- If the bones in your spine grow larger than usual, or bend this can put pressure on your nerves, and you may experience numbness or pain in other areas of your body also
- If Paget’s disease affects your skull, your head may increase in size from front to back
- Hearing loss may result if there is involvement of some of the small bones in the middle ear or pressure is placed on the nerves related to hearing.
Treatment
There is no known cure for Paget’s disease. Therefore treatment is designed to control the symptoms and change the rate of bone growth. Your doctor may recommend bone-regulating medications if you have Paget’s-related pain or if you’re at risk of serious complications.
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