The Basic Physiology of Packet Disease

Packet disease is asymptomatic in about three quarters of patients. It preferentially targets the axial skeleton, most frequently affecting the pelvis, femur, lumbar spine, skull, and tibia. Symptoms can include bony or joint pain, diffuse joint stiffness, migraines, bone deformities such as bowed legs, hearing loss, or fractures. Complications of packet disease are rare, but can include osteosarcoma. Increased size of or embowing of bones can be seen after decades of untreated disease.