Bone pain or tenderness

Considerations:
Bone pain is seen less commonly than joint pain and muscle pain but is a very significant sign. The source of bone pain may be obvious as in a fracture following and accident or more subtle as that seen in metastasis of a malignancy to bone. Whatever the source, bone pain should always be taken seriously and viewed as a sign that should be evaluated.

Bone pain may result from trauma, overuse, infection, primary malignancy, metastatic malignancy, loss of mineralization ( osteoporosis ), disruption of blood supply (as in sickle cell anemia ), and other less common conditions.

Common Causes:

Note: There may be other causes of bone pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for bone pain or tenderness, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
For unexplained bone pain, see your health care provider.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • there is any unexplained bone pain or tenderness.



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting bone pain in detail may include:

  • location
    • 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 pattern
    • When did you first notice the pain (at what age did the pain begin)?
    • How long has the pain been present?
    • Is it getting worse?

  • associated complaints
    • Is the bone enlarging?

  • other
    • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination will include detailed examination of the affected arm, leg, or other body part.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Intervention:
Antibiotics, cortisone drugs, pain relievers , hormones, and laxatives (if constipation develops during prolonged bed rest) may be prescribed depending on the cause of the bone pain. Calcium, vitamin D supplements, or estrogen may be prescribed for osteoporosis .

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to bone pain to your personal medical record.


This is an illustration of the skeletal system. The different types of bones in the hands and feet are color-coded. The bones that connect to the ankles or wrists are blue, the middle bones are red, and the fingers and toes are yellow.