Fosamax continues to face countless charges and recently, more, even
men are filing Fosamax femur fracture lawsuits. Long-term consumption of this drug has been reported to result in a number of unfavorable events. The widely known osteoporosis medication is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat this often overlooked bone disorder known as Paget’s disease.
Our bones go through a life-long process where mature bone tissues breakdown and are replaced with new bone tissues. In people with Paget’s disease of the bone, what happens is an abnormal breakdown of bone tissue, followed by abnormal bone formation. The newly-formed bones are badly shaped, enlarged, undermined and filled with new blood vessels.
The cause of Paget’s disease is still unknown however it is thought to be associated with genetic disposition or a previous viral infection. It may localize on one or two areas of the skeleton or it could occur within the entire body. The bones of the arm, the collar, the leg, the pelvis and the spine are the areas usually affected with the disease.
By and large, patients with Paget’s disease only have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Often, symptoms are attributed with arthritis or other disorders. Symptoms may include:
- Bone pain – the most common symptom and usually occurs on the affected bone or the areas adjacent to the joints
- Enlarged head, headache and hearing loss especially if the skull is affected
- Bowing of the legs and other visible deformities
- Fracture especially on the long bones
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Neck pain
- Warmth of skin over the affected bone
Treatment is not always for everyone with Paget’s disease. Those who need to be treated, though, are given medications that help reduce further bone breakdown. Biphosphonates like Fosamax are presently the first-line of defense to help improve bone mineral density.
When treatment is given before major changes in the affected bones have occurred, the outlook is generally good. Nonetheless, possible drawbacks in the situation may include bone malformation and fractures, deafness, paraplegia or the numbness of the lower pats of the body and, very seldom, a type of bone cancer called osteogenic sarcoma.
Fosamax is the drug of choice for Paget’s disease. Still, it is best to ask for your doctor’s advice if you are planning to take the drug so that unfavorable conditions are kept away. Furthermore, if you suffered any harm due to long-term consumption of Fosamax, you may have a strong ground for filing a
Fosamax femur fracture lawsuit.
