Paget's Disease

Paget’s disease of bone is a rare metabolic bone disorder that primarily affects the lumbar spine, hips, pelvis, head and arms. Here, the natural process that helps bones to rebuild themselves occurs too rapidly in localized places, resulting in soft bones or excess bone growth that compromises a person’s mobility, flexibility and even hearing while causing bone and joint pain, arthritis, headaches, bone deformities and a tingling or numb sensation in the affected areas. It can also increase a person’s likelihood of having a bone fracture. This disorder occurs in patients aged 40 and over and is sometimes mistaken as simply a sign of aging. While an exact cause of the disease is not known, a hereditary component is thought to play a part – possibly when triggered by a virus. Orthotics, walking aids, physical therapy and both oral and injected medications may all be employed in treating a patient with Paget’s disease of bone. Surgery is sometimes considered to address certain bone malformations and pain.