Osteitis deformans

Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease of the Bone)

Paget’s disease of the bone (osteitis deformans) is a chronic bone disorder characterized by excessive breakdown and regrowth in the affected bone(s). Many people have no symptoms. The disease is more common as you age and is uncommon in people under the age of 50.

Involvement of multiple bones (polyostotic) is more common than single or monostotic disease .

Symptoms 

• localized pain and tenderness (most common symptom)
• increased focal temperature due to bony hypervascularity (not fever)
• increased bone size
• bowing deformities
• kyphosis
• decreased range of motion
• signs and symptoms relating to complications

Polyostotic disease is more prevalent than monostotic type. The most frequent sites of involvement are:

• spine
• pelvis (often asymmetric)
• skull
• proximal long bones

Causes

The cause of Paget's bone disease is unknown. Scientists suspect a combination of environmental and genetic factors contribute to the disease. Several genes appear to be linked to getting the disease.

Some scientists believe Paget's disease of bone is related to a viral infection in your bone cells, but this theory is controversial.

Diagnosis

The following tests help to diagnose Paget’s disease of the bone:

• Alkaline phosphatase blood test: A high level of alkaline phosphatase in your blood could be a sign that you have Paget’s disease of the bone. Sometimes this blood test is what first alerts healthcare providers that someone could have Paget’s disease.
• X-rays: With X-ray images, healthcare providers can see if you have bones affected by Paget’s disease. The affected bones look different in the images than unaffected bones.

Bone scan: Providers sometimes use bone scans to see which bone(s) are affected by Paget’s disease and how mild or severe it is. During a bone scan, a safe amount of radioactive liquid is injected into your vein. The liquid then flows through your bloodstream and into your bones and makes areas of the bone affected by Paget’s disease appear “bright” on the images your bones.

This condition will be rated on limitation of motion of affected body part.