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Bone pain or tenderness

Aches and pains in bones; Pain - bones

 

Bone pain or tenderness is aching or other discomfort in one or more bones.

Considerations

 

Bone pain is less common than joint pain and muscle pain . The source of bone pain may be clear, such as from a fracture following an accident. Other causes, such as cancer that spreads ( metastasizes ) to the bone, may be less obvious.

 

Causes

 

Bone pain can occur with injuries or conditions such as:

  • Cancer in the bones (primary malignancy)
  • Cancer that has spread to the bones (metastatic malignancy)
  • Disruption of blood supply (as in sickle cell anemia )
  • Infected bone ( osteomyelitis )
  • Infection
  • Injury (trauma)
  • Leukemia
  • Loss of mineralization ( osteoporosis )
  • Overuse
  • Toddler fracture (a type of stress fracture that occurs in toddlers)

 

Home Care

 

See your health care provider if you have bone pain and do not know why it is occurring.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Take any bone pain or tenderness very seriously. Contact your provider if you have any unexplained bone pain.

 

What toExpect at Your Office Visit

 

Your provider will ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam.

Some questions that may be asked include:

  • Where is the pain located?
  • How long have you had pain and when did it start?
  • Is the pain getting worse?
  • Do you have any other symptoms?

You may have the following tests:

  • Blood studies (such as CBC , blood differential )
  • Bone x-rays , including a bone scan
  • CT or MRI scan
  • Hormone level studies
  • Pituitary and adrenal gland function studies
  • Urine studies

Depending on the cause of the pain, your provider may prescribe:

  • Antibiotics
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Hormones
  • Laxatives (if you develop constipation during prolonged bed rest)
  • Pain relievers

If pain is related to thinning bones, you may need treatment for osteoporosis .

 

 

Open References

References

McCormack RG, Lopez CA. Commonly encountered fractures in sports medicine. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 13.

Weber TJ. Osteoporosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 243.

Whyte MP. Osteonecrosis, osteosclerosis/hyperostosis, and other disorders of bone. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 248.

 
  • Skeleton

    Skeleton - illustration

    The skeleton consists of groups of bones which protect and move the body.

    Skeleton

    illustration

    • Skeleton

      Skeleton - illustration

      The skeleton consists of groups of bones which protect and move the body.

      Skeleton

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Self Care

     

    Tests for Bone pain or tenderness

     
     

    Review Date: 5/9/2015

    Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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