Osteitis Deformans - Osteitis Deformans & Fosamax
Osteitis deformans is a type of chronic bone disorder causing an increase in the breakdown and re-growth of bone tissue, typically resulting in enlarged or deformed bone formations. The chronic bone disorder is commonly referred to as "Paget's disease" after the British surgeon responsible for providing the initial description of the condition, Sir James Paget.
Osteitis Deformans - Who is at Risk?
Osteitis deformans affects men and women at an equal rate. Although children are susceptible to the development of osteitis deformans, the disease rarely affects people under the age of 40.
Osteitis deformans is believed to be somewhat familial in nature, meaning that there is the possibility of a hereditary factor at play in a person developing the chronic bone disorder. It is therefore recommended that the siblings and children of osteitis deformans sufferers undergo blood testing every two- to three-years to monitor levels of alkaline phosphatase in the blood.
Signs and Symptoms of Osteitis Deformans
There are a number of determining factors that can alert someone to the possible development of osteitis deformans. Oftentimes, these osteitis deformans symptoms can be confused with other conditions like arthritis. Some of the common symptoms of osteitis deformans include:
- General or localized bone / joint pain
- Chronic headaches and auditory difficulties
- Nerve pressure
- Hip pain
- Cartilage damage in the joints
- Curvature of the spine and increased head size
Oftentimes, a case of osteitis deformans can go undetected because it is mild to the point that its effects are not too burdensome. As the disorder worsens, its effects can eventually become noticeable, prompting a doctor's visit. Unfortunately, it is important to be able to diagnose a case of osteitis deformans sooner rather than later so as to aid with treatment. Such a lapse in time between development and diagnosis could therefore prove costly.
Diagnosis of Osteitis Deformans
If a case of osteitis deformans is diagnosed early enough, the patient has an excellent chance of making a full recovery. There are a number of techniques that are commonly used to diagnose a case of osteitis deformans:
- X ray: Bones affected by osteitis deformans have a particular appearance that can be viewed via x ray.
- Blood testing: People suffering from osteitis deformans typically have a higher level of alkaline phosphatase in their blood than non-sufferers.
- Bone scanning: If symptoms are generalized, a bone scan can help to pinpoint the areas affected by osteitis deformans; at which point an x ray can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Osteitis Deformans Treatment - Osteitis Deformans & Fosamax
Fosamax is the brand name for alendronate, a type of bisphosphonate drug that is commonly prescribed as a type of drug treatment for people suffering from osteitis deformans and numerous other bone diseases (like osteoporosis). Fosamax has recently garnered a great deal of negative publicity because of a causative link that has been established between use of the drug and the development of a serious bone disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or "dead jaw."
A number of Fosamax lawsuits have been filed against Merck & Co., the manufacturer of the bisphosphonate drug, claiming that the pharmaceutical company did not adequately provide a warning in regards to the serious nature of certain Fosamax side effects. If you or a loved one has developed ONJ as a result of Fosamax use, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your eligibility for compensation. 