| What do doctors call this condition? | | | | forehead, headaches, hunchback, barrel- shaped |
| Osteitis deformans | | | | chest, and bowed legs and other changes in gait. The |
| What is this condition? | | | | affected areas are warm and tender, susceptible to |
| Paget's disease is a slow-paced metabolic bone | | | | breaks, and slow to heal. The disease progresses to |
| disease characterized by replacement of sound bone | | | | add bone growth that interferes with sight, hearing, |
| with excessive amounts of abnormal bone. The | | | | and balance; complications such as hypertension, |
| altered bone is fragile and weak, causing painful | | | | gout, and congestive heart failure may develop. |
| deformities of both outside shape and internal | | | | How is it diagnosed? |
| structure. Paget's disease usually settles in one or | | | | X-rays, taken even before symptoms appear, can |
| several areas of the skeleton (most frequently the | | | | show increased bone expansion and density. A bone |
| lower torso), but occasionally affects many parts of | | | | scan, which is more sensitive than X-rays, clearly |
| the body. | | | | shows early so-called pagetic lesions. Bone biopsy |
| The disease can be fatal, especially when associated | | | | reveals a characteristic mosaic pattern. Blood tests |
| with congestive heart failure (widespread disease | | | | and other laboratory tests aid early diagnosis. |
| creates a continuous need for high cardiac output), | | | | How is it treated? |
| bone cancer, or giant cell tumors. | | | | Primary treatment consists of drug therapy and |
| What causes it? | | | | includes one of the following:o Cibacalcin, a hormone, |
| Although the exact cause is unknown, one theory is | | | | given by injection, and Didronel to retard bone |
| that an early viral infection (possibly mumps) leaves | | | | resorption (which relieves bone lesions). Although |
| behind a dormant skeletal infection that erupts many | | | | Cibacalcin requires long-term maintenance therapy, |
| years later as Paget's disease. In the United States, | | | | there is noticeable improvement after the first few |
| Paget's disease affects approximately 2.5 million | | | | weeks of treatment. Didronel produces improvement |
| people over age 40 (mostly men). In 5% of cases, | | | | after 1 to 3 months.o Mithracin, an antibiotic that |
| the involved bone experiences malignant changes . | | | | produces remission of symptoms within 2 weeks and |
| What are its symptoms? | | | | biochemical improvement within 1 to 2 months. |
| There may be no symptoms in early stages of the | | | | However, the drug may destroy blood cells or harm |
| disease. But when pain does develop, it's usually | | | | kidney function. Self-administration of Cibacalcin and |
| severe and persistent and may limit the person's | | | | Didronel helps people with Paget's disease lead |
| movement because new bone growth is rubbing on | | | | near-normal lives. Still, they may need surgery to |
| the spinal cord or sensory nerve root. The pain | | | | reduce or prevent fractures, correct secondary |
| intensifies with exertion. | | | | deformities, and relieve pinched nerves. Aspirin, |
| The list of potential effects includes enlarged | | | | lndocin, or Advil or Motrin usually controls pain. |