Paget's disease - a chronic disease of the bone, which is most common among the elderly. It develops in about 3-4% of people over fifty years. People younger than 40 years of Paget's disease is rare. It is slightly more common in men than women.

This disease can affect any bone in the skeleton, but most commonly affects the spine, femur, the long bone in the limbs and skull. It can affect one or more bones of the bones and all the bone completely.

Paget's disease is inherited. It can occur in 25-40% of relatives of patients with this diagnosis. Some doctors believe that its development is influenced not only by genetics, but also the environment, but it is not yet proven.

Causes

In the normal bone remodeling process takes place on a daily basis. Some cells are absorbed other are generated in response to a load which is subjected to the skeleton. Cells which absorb the bone, called osteoclasts; cells that form new bone tissue - osteoblasts.

Paget's disease osteoclasts are more active than osteoblasts, and therefore, the absorption rate exceeds bone. Osteoblasts are trying to meet the increased requirements, resulting in their work becomes chaotic. The new bone produced abnormally large, misshapen and not well fit together. Normal bone adjacent to each other like bricks in a well-built wall, and Paget's disease, they begin to resemble a chaotic mosaic like bricks laid as necessary. Bone such a patient large and dense but, nevertheless, weak and fragile.

Symptoms

Paget's disease often occurs without any symptoms. The doctor may notice signs of disease on x-ray made in another context, or in the results of blood tests Blood tests: a mirror of health   (in Paget's disease shows an increased level of alkaline phosphatase in blood serum). Patients who have symptoms, the most common complaint is pain in the bones. This pain may be associated with active Paget's disease or its complications, including:

• Fractures and cracks in small bones;
• Bone deformities;
• Progressive arthritis Arthritis - a variety of forms and complications   in the joint adjacent to the affected bone;
• Compression of nerves near the increased bone, which leads to loss of sensation and mobility.

Symptoms may also be associated with the disease will affect the level of calcium in the blood. When Paget's disease affects several bone osteoclast activity may increase the level of calcium in the blood. This rare complication might cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or constipation Constipation - Watch out for food .

Very strong and relentless course of time under the influence of drugs or pain in the area where the affected bone Paget's disease may indicate that the disease has developed cancer in bone. Sarcoma occurs in approximately 1% of patients with Paget's disease, and these patients are usually older than 70 years. This type of bone tumor is very aggressive and the prognosis is usually unfavorable. None of the treatments used in Paget's disease affects the risk of developing Kaposi.

Treatment surgical methods

Drug treatment can reduce the symptoms of Paget's disease, but at this time there is no known way to reverse the effect of wrap disease on bone.

Patients who have no symptoms, no treatment is required; medical care is limited to observation. So, it is recommended to make regular x-rays to detect any changes. If a patient is suffering from mild to moderate pain, are very useful nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and aspirin.

If Paget's disease affected thigh or leg, using sticks while walking can significantly alleviate the pain. Furthermore, stick helps prevent falls, and at the same time reducing the risk of fractures. Sometimes, to prevent displacement of the bones, used bandages.

When severe pain in the bones used drugs from the group of bisphosphonates, blocking osteoclasts. At the time of their admission should periodically check the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood, since this figure will steadily decrease, along with pain in the bones.

Treatment of surgical techniques

Surgical techniques are used mainly for the treatment of Paget's disease complications. It may be necessary for fractures, displaced bones and severe arthritis. Surgery may also be assigned, if you increase the bone begins to put pressure on the nerves, especially in the spine or skull. If Paget's disease develops in sarcoma Sarcoma - a full recovery possible In most cases attempt to remove the tumor.

The procedures used for the treatment of fractures, arthritis or offset bone in patients with Paget's disease are similar to those applied in the treatment of the same conditions in humans since, in general, healthy bone. However, as in the Paget's disease increases the flow of blood to the bones, the doctor may recommend a bisphosphonate before operatsitsey to reduce the possibility of blood loss.

Bones affected by Paget's disease, restored longer than healthy bones, so the period of rehabilitation patients usually take longer.

  Osteoarthritis - is a chronic degenerative joint disease. It is due to a mismatch between the generation of wear and bone cells. Typically, arthritis accompanied by serious damage to the cartilage in the joints, which gradually leads to a deterioration of joint mobility. Each joint cartilage covers the ends of bones to facilitate movement and to minimize friction. Wear cartilage begins with small cracks that are getting deeper, until, finally, they are not formed hole.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

• Pain

This is a very painful condition. The pain becomes stronger, the more cartilage wears out; when the bones begin to rub against each other, the pain is very strong. It increases with stress on damaged joints and weakens when it is at rest.

• Mobility impairments

When arthritic joints can lose habitual mobility. In the initial stages of the disease stiff joints is particularly strong in the morning and then goes away. Over time, the mobility of the joints increasingly deteriorating.

• Inflammation

Cartilage wear can lead to inflammation of the skin in the affected joints. Inflammation can cause severe pain especially at night.

Types of osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae

This disorder is characterized by damage to the cartilage between the cervical vertebrae; It is most common in people older than 40 years. One of the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae - pain in the base of the neck. The neck becomes less mobile, to turn his head more and more difficult; pain may be given in the shoulders and arms. In some patients, the disease is asymptomatic. The most susceptible to this disease women engaged in sedentary work.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae depends on the severity of the disease. In milder forms of the patients are assigned special preparations, and recommended more rest and practice sports. To relieve the pain, you can take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen Ibuprofen: anti-inflammatory drug   or aspirin. In some cases, the doctor prescribes stronger painkillers.

• Osteoarthritis of the facet joints or facet syndrome

This disease is most common in older people. Sometimes osteoarthritis of the facet joints is caused by trauma.

The symptoms of this condition can be headaches, back and neck, the deterioration of the flexibility of the spine. For the treatment of mild forms of the disease using medication and correction of posture Posture - a few helpful tips for those who want to walk straight . In more serious cases, recommended special exercises and, sometimes, certain lifestyle changes.

• Coxarthrosis

Coxarthrosis characterized by impaired mobility of the hip joint. The main symptom is pain in the hip or both hips. The mobility of the hip joint is gradually deteriorating. Often, patients with coxarthrosis Coxarthrosis - inflammation of the hip joints   partially lose the ability to cope with their daily chores.

For the treatment of coxarthrosis usually requires surgical intervention. In some cases, a hip replacement.

• Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine

When this type of osteoarthritis is a gradual deterioration of cartilage between the lumbar vertebrae. The main cause of this disorder is poor posture or incorrect posture while working. A patient suffering from osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, as a rule, is experiencing back pain Back pain: Do not start the process - Especially in the lower back; They are aggravated by movement and exercise.

Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine are treated with special brackets, which provide temporary immobility of the muscles of the back and lumbar joints, as well as help to maintain the correct posture.

Reduce the load on the lower back is also possible with the help of the supporting belt. Contrary to popular belief, it does not cause weakening of the muscles in this area.

• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint

This disorder occurs in people of middle age and can lead to the development of osteoarthritis. The main causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is damaged by a fall or heavy load on the shoulders, arms and back. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is characterized by pain in the shoulders, which increases during exercise. This disease is treated with the help of physical therapy and prolotherapy.