Also called osteitis deformans, Paget’s disease is the disruption of the process of bone renewal, leading to weakened and sometimes distorted bones.
Normally, bone is continually broken down and replaced by strong, new bone, but in Paget’s disease the new bone is weak.
The cause of the disease is unknown. The most common sites affected by this condition are the skull, spine, pelvis, and legs. Symptoms may include bone and joint pain; bone deformities, such as bow legs; fractures after only a minor injury; numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area; and hearing loss.
There is no cure for Paget’s disease, but medication can relieve symptoms.