What type of pain is characteristic in patients with Paget's disease?

In Paget's disease, the characteristic type of pain experienced by patients is deep bony pain. This condition is a chronic bone disorder that typically results in the abnormal growth and remodeling of bones. As the bones become enlarged and structurally weakened, patients often describe a deep, aching pain that can be widespread or localized, mainly affecting the pelvis, skull, spine, and long bones.

The nature of this pain is significant as it tends to arise from the affected bones themselves, often due to increased vascularity, microfractures, or other complications associated with the disease. It is different from visceral pain, which originates from internal organs; muscle pain, which relates to the muscles and their function; or nerve pain, which typically arises from nerve injuries or conditions affecting the nervous system. Understanding this specific type of pain can help in diagnosing Paget's disease and differentiating it from other musculoskeletal disorders.