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Bone pain or tenderness

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• Treatment

Definition:

Bone pain or tenderness involves 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 more subtle, such as cancer that metastasizes (spreads) to the bone.

Whatever the source, bone pain should always be taken seriously. You should seek medical attention any time you experience bone pain.

Common Causes:

Bone pain can be caused by many injuries or conditions:

• Trauma (injury)
• Toddler fracture (a type of stress fracture peculiar to toddlers)
• Overuse
• Infection
• Primary malignancy ( cancer in the bones)
• Metastatic malignancy (cancer that has spread to the bones)
• Loss of mineralization ( osteoporosis )
• Disruption of blood supply (as in sickle cell anemia )
• Leukemia
• Osteomyelitis

• Review Date: 2/23/2006
• Reviewed By: Kevin B. Freedman, MD, MSCE, Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Specialists, BrynMawr, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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