Paget's disease, otherwise known as osteitis deformans, is a chronic disorder that typically results in enlarged and deformed bones. The excessive breakdown and formation of bone tissue that occurs with Paget's disease can cause bone to weaken, resulting in bone pain, arthritis, deformities, and fractures. Paget's disease is rarely diagnosed in people less than 40 years of age. Men are more commonly affected than women. Because early diagnosis and treatment is important, after age 40, siblings and children of someone with Paget's disease may wish to have an alkaline phosphatase blood test every two or three years. If the alkaline phosphatase level is above normal, other tests such as a bone-specific alkaline phosphatase test, bone scan, or x-ray can be performed.

Symptoms:
*bone pain
*headaches
*hearing loss
*pressure on nerves
*drowsiness
*paralysis due to vascular steal syndrome of the vertebrae
*increased head size
*bowing of limb
*curvature of spine
*hip pain
*damage to joint cartilage can lead to arthritis
*teeth may spread intraorally
*chalkstick fractures
*mosaic bone pattern

Treatment:
*make an appointment to see an Endocrinologist (specializes in hormonal and metabolic disorders)
*make an appointment to see a Rheumatologist (specializes in joint and muscle disorders)
*make an appointment to see the following specialists: Orthopedic surgeons, Neurologists, and Otolaryngologists.
*drug therapy as prescribed by your doctor to relieve bone pain and prevent the progression of the disease
*surgery can be recommended for three major complications of Paget's disease including fractures, severe degenerative arthritis, and bone deformity

If you or a loved one is suffering from Paget's disease, talk to your doctor about treatment options.