MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Bone pain or tenderness

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Bone pain or tenderness

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Considerations	Causes Home Care When to Contact a Medical Professional What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Illustrations

Skeleton

Alternative Names Return to top

Aches and pains in bones; Pain - bones

Definition Return to top

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

Considerations Return to top

Bone pain is seen less commonly than joint pain and muscle pain. The source of bone pain may be obvious, as in a fracture following an accident. Or it may be more subtle, such as cancer that spreads (metastasizes) to the bone.

Whatever the source, bone pain should always be taken seriously. Seek medical attention any time you have bone pain.

Causes Return to top

Bone pain can occur with many injuries or conditions:

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 Return to top

For unexplained bone pain, see your health care provider.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

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

What to Expect at Your Office Visit Return to top

Your health care provider will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam.

Medical history questions may include:

Location of the pain
- Is the pain in the forearms, hands, lower legs, or feet (distal extremities)?
- Is the pain in the main part of the arm or leg?
- Is the pain in the heels (calcaneal pain)?
Time and pattern of the pain
- When did you first notice the pain (at what age did the pain begin)?
- How long have you had the pain?
- Is it getting worse?
What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

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 doctor may prescribe:

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

For osteoporosis treatment, see the article on osteoporosis.

Update Date: 11/9/2007

Updated by: Thomas N. Joseoph, M.D., private practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.