Paget's disease of bone

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Image showing Paget's disease of bone
Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease of bone is a condition that affects the way your bone breaks down and rebuilds (metabolizes). Healthy bone metabolism allows for old bone to be recycled into new bone throughout the course of your life. In Paget's disease of bone, the rate at which old bone is broken down and new bone is formed becomes distorted. Over time, the affected bones may become fragile and misshapen.

Paget's disease of bone becomes more common with age. Many older people who experience discomfort in their bones and joints assume that those symptoms are a natural part of aging, and therefore don't seek treatment. But to prevent the most serious complications of Paget's disease of bone, it's critical to get treatment as soon as possible after signs and symptoms appear.

References
  1. Facts a new patient needs to know about Paget's disease of bone. National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases: National Resource Center. http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone/pagets/default.asp. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  2. Roodman GD. Paget's disease of bone. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203002646-3/1004517503/1492/963.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50273-1_12206. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  3. Paget's disease of bone. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00076. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  4. Mercier LR. Paget's disease of the bone. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203002646-3/1004517503/2088/470.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00025-3--sc0010_9669. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  5. Kelepouris N. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Paget disease of bone. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 27, 2010.
  6. Lane NE. Paget's disease of bone. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: WB Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203002646-3/0/1807/698.html?tocnode=55733939&fromURL=698.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10092-0--s0210_3402. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  7. Seton M. Treatment of Paget disease of bone. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 27, 2010.
DS00485 Aug. 12, 2010

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