<unk>  (commonly known as<unk> 's<unk>  or, historically, osteitis deformans) is a condition involving cellular remodeling and deformity of one or more bones. The affected bones show signs of dysregulated bone remodeling at the microscopic level, specifically excessive bone breakdown and subsequent disorganized new bone formation. These structural changes cause the bone to weaken, which may result in deformity, pain, fracture or arthritis of associated joints. The exact cause is unknown, although leading theories indicate both genetic and acquired factors (see Causes).<unk> 's<unk>  may affect any one or several bones of the body (most commonly pelvis, tibia, femur, lumbar vertebrae, and skull), but never the entire skeleton, and does not spread from bone to bone. Rarely, a bone affected by<unk> 's<unk>  can transform into a malignant bone cancer. As the<unk>  often affects people differently, treatments of<unk> 's<unk>  can vary. Although there is no cure for<unk> 's<unk> , medications (bisphosphonates and calcitonin) can help control the disorder and lessen pain and other symptoms. Medications are often successful in controlling the disorder, especially when started before complications begin.<unk> 's<unk>  affects from 1.5 to 8.0 percent of the population, and is most common in those of British descent. It is primarily diagnosed in older people and is rare in people less than 55 years of age. Men are more commonly affected than women (3:2). The<unk>  is named after English surgeon Sir James<unk> , who described it in 1877.
Paget's disease of bone
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis
Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy
Giant-cell tumor of bone
Fibrous dysplasia of bone
Tumoral calcinosis
Metabolic bone disease
Oncogenic osteomalacia