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Step 1
Determine if treatment is indicated. Paget's disease may require treatment if it causes complications such as bone pain, compression of the spinal cord or other nerves, congestive heart failure, fractures, hypercalcemia and progressive skeletal deformities.
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Step 2
Include treatment with bisphosphonate for Paget's disease and check bone markers. Recheck the bone markers two to three months after the bisphosphonate treatment. Monitor patients indefinitely because of the risk of malignancy.
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Step 3
Use chemotherapy or radiation to treat tumors growing from bone affected by Paget's disease. Orthotic devices such as canes and walkers may benefit patients with Paget disease in the legs.
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Step 4
Perform surgery for Paget's disease, especially to correct degenerative arthritis of the hip or knee. A hip replacement and tibial osteotomy are both effective in restoring mobility and relieving pain. Spinal cord compression can be relieved with a decompressive laminectomy. Amputation may be necessary if malignancy is present.
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Step 5
Provide a lengthy rehabilitation because bone healing is often prolonged. Patients receiving bisphosphonate should ensure their intake of calcium and vitamin D is adequate.
Comments
scmrak said
on 11/16/2009 This is crap: it's merely copied from a list of things the treating practitioner should do. You act as though the patient is nothing but a kewpie doll to be manipulated by the physician.
Oh, wait, I forgot: this is eHow.