Bone pain or tenderness

Skeleton

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

Also known as: Aches and pains in bones and Pain - bones

Definition

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

Considerations

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.

Common Causes

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

For unexplained bone pain, see your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if

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 health care provider's office

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:

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.

References

Tamisiea DF. Radiologic aspects of orthopedic diseases. In: Mercier LR, ed. Practical Orthopedics. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 16.

Coleman RE, Holen I. Bone metastases. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 57.

See also:

  • Symptoms

    Muscle aches

    Muscle pain

    Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia, the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones, and organs. See also:

  • Symptoms

    Joint pain

    The structure of a joint

    Joint pain can affect one or more joints. See also: (inflammation of joints)

  • Injury

    Broken bone

    X-ray

    If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture (compound fracture). A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone that develops because of repeated or ...

  • Special Topic

    Metastasis

    Lymph node metastases, CT scan

    Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the bloodstream or the .

Review date:
May 2, 2009
Reviewed by:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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