4. Increased Warmth in the Affected Area: The Hidden Heat of Paget’s Disease
An unexpected yet common symptom of Paget’s disease is an increase in warmth over the affected bone areas. This might sound surprising, considering bones are usually not something we associate with temperature changes.
So why does this occur? The answer lies in the disease’s effect on blood flow.
Paget’s disease disrupts the normal bone remodeling process, leading to the formation of new bone at an accelerated rate. This new bone is often larger, weaker, and contains more blood vessels than normal bone, leading to an increase in blood flow to the area.
When there’s more blood flow to a specific part of your body, that area can feel warmer to the touch. In Paget’s disease, the areas most commonly affected – like the skull, spine, pelvis, and long bones of the legs – may feel warmer compared to other parts of the body.
While increased warmth may not cause direct discomfort, it serves as a subtle clue to the presence of underlying Paget’s disease. However, it’s important to remember that other conditions, such as inflammation or infection, can also lead to increased warmth over certain body areas. Therefore, this symptom, like others associated with Paget’s disease, should be considered within the broader context of other signs and symptoms present. (4)
