Definition:
Bone pain or tenderness is aching or other discomfort in one or more bones.
Alternative Names:
Aches and pains in bones; Pain - 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)
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.
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