Paget’s disease of the hand (PDH) is a rare disease that causes enlargement and progressive weakness of the bones of the hand. This disease also commonly affects the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs, but can also be found in other locations in the body. Osteoclast activity is higher in patients with Paget’s disease leading to heightened activation of osteoblasts that form new osseous tissue too quickly. This rapid remodeling creates osseous tissue with structural irregularities and deformities in bone appearance. After rapid bone remodeling, osteoclast activity is heightened, and osseous tissue is reabsorbed. The heightened osteoclast activity causes bone weakness, injury, and pain. The causes of PDH are not well understood, but it is theorized that environmental factors and genetics are to blame. PDH is more diagnosed in patients over the age of 50 and up to a third of all cases are diagnosed accidentally through radiography in patients presenting for other concerns. PDH is irreversible but popular treatments to manage mild symptoms are over-the-counter NSAIDS like ibuprofen and aspirin. For cases causing moderate to severe symptoms bisphosphonate medications that inhibit osteoclast activity and surgical interventions are used.
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Paget’s disease of the hand (PDH) is a rare disease that causes enlargement and progressive weakness of the bones of the hand. This disease also commonly affects the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs, but can also be found in other locations in the body. Osteoclast activity is higher in patients with Paget’s disease leading to heightened activation of osteoblasts that form new osseous tissue too quickly. This rapid remodeling creates osseous tissue with structural irregularities and deformities in bone appearance. After rapid bone remodeling, osteoclast activity is heightened, and osseous tissue is reabsorbed. The heightened osteoclast activity causes bone weakness, injury, and pain. The causes of PDH are not well understood, but it is theorized that environmental factors and genetics are to blame. PDH is more diagnosed in patients over the age of 50 and up to a third of all cases are diagnosed accidentally through radiography in patients presenting for other concerns. PDH is irreversible but popular treatments to manage mild symptoms are over-the-counter NSAIDS like ibuprofen and aspirin. For cases causing moderate to severe symptoms bisphosphonate medications that inhibit osteoclast activity and surgical interventions are used.