Paget's disease is a condition that breaks down bone tissue, causing the body to rebuild bone too quickly. The rapid growth creates weak, soft bones that may eventually break. Like osteoporosis, Paget's disease is silent, so that patients often feel no or vague symptoms until the disease advances. Symptoms, when they do appear, may include bone pain that is worse at night, pinched nerves and other signs of nerve pressure, and bone fractures and deformities. The cause is unknown, though doctors think it may be triggered by a viral infection that causes the disease in people with certain genetic factors.

Because of its silent nature, Paget's disease often goes undiagnosed until the bone damage shows up on a spinal X-ray. Earlier diagnostic tests can include blood tests to detect the presence of certain minerals, bone mineral density testing and bone scan imaging.

Treatment of Paget's disease of the bone varies, depending on symptoms and the extent of damage. A multidisciplinary team of Sutter healthcare providers including your primary physician and specialists work with you to create an ongoing treatment plan that will best benefit you, usually on an outpatient basis.

If a spinal fracture occurs due to Paget's disease, Sutter also offers complete treatment for the fracture as well as physical, occupational and rehabilitation therapy.

For more information, see Paget's disease of bone in our Healthwise health information section. You can find additional information under Paget's disease of bone in MedlinePlus®, a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.

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