About this topic
Pagets disease causes your bones to grow larger and weaker than normal. These bones may not grow in a normal shape. They are weaker and they can break more easily. This health problem may affect one or more bones in your body. The most common bones affected are the pelvis, skull, spine, arm, and leg bones. ‚
Treatment may include drugs, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery if your bone needs to be realigned and fixed. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- To help with pain your doctor may suggest ice or heat.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- If your doctor tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on your back for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
- If the bones in your back are weak, your doctor may put a brace on your back. Talk to your doctor about when you should wear it.
- If you have problems with the bones in your legs, your doctor may order:
- Cane or walker to help with balance
- Inserts for your shoes. This are orthotics.
- If you have hearing problems, your doctor may suggest a device to help you hear.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may also need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
- Your doctor may send you to a surgeon if your joints need to be replaced.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Help with bone healing
- Build strong bones
- Prevent infection
- Give supplements, like calcium
If your doctor injected drugs in the affected part of your bone, keep your puncture site clean and dry for the first 24 hours. You may feel the effects of the drugs after 7 to 10 days. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity because of bone pain. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Walking will be limited if you have bowed legs and broken bones in your legs and hips.
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D. Some of these foods include: ‚
- Milk
- Cheese
- Sardines
- Yogurt
- Veggies such as spinach, kale, okra, collard greens, and white beans
- Orange juice
- Soybeans
- Breads, grains, and cereals
What problems could happen?
- Broken or deformed bones
- Hearing problems
- Problems with balance and walking
- Bone cancer
- Bone swelling and irritation. This is called osteoarthritis.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Pagets disease cannot be prevented, but you may keep it from getting worse by: ‚
- Taking your drugs as ordered by your doctor
- Staying at a healthy weight
- Working out often
- Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or pain.
- Pain not helped even with drugs
- Swelling or a lump near the painful part of your bone
- Less movement in your joint
- Sudden breathing problems
- Sudden chest pain
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain, swelling, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00076 ‚
American College of Rheumatology ‚
http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/pagetsdisease.asp ‚
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ‚
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pagets/overview.asp#m ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/11/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pagets-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚