# What is Paget's disease of bone and what are its causes? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/ma-howa-marad-bajet-al-azmi-wa-ma-hiya-asbaboh Language: en Category: orthopedics Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.555Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.555Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/ma-howa-marad-bajet-al-azmi-wa-ma-hiya-asbaboh Paget's disease of bone is a chronic disorder that affects the body's normal bone regeneration process. Typically, bones go through a continuous cycle of breakdown and rebuilding. In the case of Paget's disease, this process becomes abnormal, where excessive bone breakdown is followed by rapid, disorganized regrowth. This rapid growth leads to the formation of bone that is larger, softer, and weaker than usual, making it prone to deformity and fractures easily [\[1\]](). Paget's disease typically affects one or a few bones and does not spread to other healthy bones [\[1\]](). It can affect any bone in the body, but it most often involves the pelvis, skull, spine, and leg bones (femur and tibia) [\[3\]](). ## Causes of Paget's disease of bone The exact cause of Paget's disease of bone is not yet known. However, researchers suspect that environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of the disease [\[3\]](). Several genes have been linked to the disease in some cases where it runs in families [\[1\]](). ## Risk factors Certain factors increase the risk of developing Paget's disease of bone, including: - **Age:** The disease is uncommon before the age of 40, and the risk increases with advancing age [\[3\]](). - **Family history:** If you have a close relative with Paget's disease, you are more likely to develop it yourself [\[1\]](). - **Geographic and ethnic origins:** The disease is more common in certain geographic areas, including North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe among people of Anglo-Saxon descent. It is less common in Asia, Africa, and Scandinavia [\[3\]](). - **Gender:** Studies suggest that men may be slightly more prone to the disease than women [\[3\]](). ## Common symptoms Many people with Paget's disease do not exhibit any symptoms, and the disease may be discovered incidentally during examinations for other reasons [\[1\]](). When symptoms do appear, they develop slowly and may resemble symptoms of other conditions such as arthritis [\[1\]](). Potential symptoms include: - **Bone pain:** This is the most common symptom and may be caused by the disease itself or by arthritis, which can be a complication of Paget's disease [\[3\]](). - **Bone deformity:** Bones may appear abnormal, such as an enlarged head, bowing of a limb, or curvature of the spine in advanced cases [\[3\]](). - **Headaches and hearing loss:** These occur if Paget's disease affects the skull [\[1\]](). - **Nerve compression:** This can occur if the disease affects the skull or spine, which may cause numbness and tingling in the arms and legs [\[3\]](). - **Hip pain:** If the disease affects the pelvis or femur [\[1\]](). For more information on diagnosis and treatment options, you can visit [Paget's Disease of Bone: Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Treatment Options for Maintaining Bone Health (Arabic)](). ## Next steps If you are experiencing persistent bone pain or any of the mentioned symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms, control the progression of the disease, and prevent complications [\[1\]](). The doctor may request tests such as X-rays of the affected bones and a blood test to measure the level of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) [\[1\]](). Elevated ALP levels in the blood, especially if liver function tests are normal, may indicate a bone disorder such as Paget's disease [\[2\]](). ## Medical references - [Paget's Disease of Bone]() - [Paget's Disease of Bone]() - [Alkaline Phosphatase]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/ma-howa-marad-bajet-al-azmi-wa-ma-hiya-asbaboh#answer