Baylor Health Care System
 

Bone pain or tenderness

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.

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)

Review Date: 11/9/2007
Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseoph, M.D., private practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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