Symptoms of Paget's disease

Many people with Paget's disease of bone have no symptoms. It is often found by chance on an X-ray or a blood test showing high alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

Common symptoms

• Bone pain: a deep, dull ache, often worse at night or at rest
• Joint pain and stiffness: arthritis in joints near affected bone, such as the hip or knee
• Bone deformity: bowed legs, a curved spine or a larger head
• Fractures: bone can break more easily, sometimes with small stress cracks
• Warmth over the bone because of increased blood flow

By site

• Pelvis and hip: pain in the groin or buttock, hip arthritis
• Spine: back pain, a stooped posture, and sometimes nerve compression causing numbness or weakness
• Skull: headache, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, enlarged head
• Long bones (thigh, shin): bowing and pain

Rare features

Pressure on nerves, and very rarely bone cancer in a long-standing affected bone, shown by new severe pain, swelling or a lump.

Ayurvedic view

Traditional texts describe bone pain and deformity as signs of Asthi dhatu disturbance. This is an interpretive description, not a diagnosis.

See a doctor if you have new bone pain that does not settle, bone deformity, hearing loss, or numbness or weakness in the legs.

When to get help

See your doctor, an endocrinologist or a rheumatologist if bone pain is new or worsening, a bone looks bowed or enlarged, hearing changes, or you have weakness or numbness. A blood test for alkaline phosphatase and a simple X-ray can usually settle the question.

Remember

Many people have no symptoms. A blood test and X-ray confirm the diagnosis, and treatment can ease pain.