Definition

Noun: A chronic bone disorder, also known as Paget's disease of bone, that primarily affects middle-aged and elderly individuals. It is characterized by excessive and disorganized breakdown and formation of bone tissue, which can lead to enlarged, weakened, and deformed bones. This abnormal remodeling process may result in bone pain, increased risk of fractures, and skeletal deformities.

Usage Examples

• The patient was diagnosed with osteitis deformans after complaining of persistent pain in his pelvis and leg.
• A common complication of osteitis deformans is hearing loss if the disease affects the bones of the skull.
• Management of osteitis deformans often focuses on controlling bone turnover and alleviating pain.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used almost exclusively in medical and clinical contexts. In general healthcare communication, "Paget's disease of bone" is more commonly used to avoid confusion with Paget's disease of the breast or nipple.
• It is often discussed in relation to its monostotic (affecting a single bone) or polyostotic (affecting multiple bones) forms.

Variants and Related Words

• Paget's disease of bone: The more common contemporary name for the same condition.
• Osteitis: A general term for inflammation of bone, which is a component of this specific disease.
• Deformans: From Latin, meaning "deforming," describing the potential skeletal outcome.

Synonyms

• Paget's disease of bone

Notes on Meaning

While "osteitis deformans" is the formal pathological name, it precisely describes the process: osteitis (bone inflammation) leading to deformans (deformity). It is a specific disease entity and not a general term for any bone inflammation or deformity.

Noun

1. a disease of bone occurring in the middle aged and elderly; excessive bone destruction sometimes leading to bone pain and fractures and skeletal deformities