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:

• 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.