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Bone pain is pain that occurs in the bones. This can affect one or more of your bones. Bone pain is different from muscle pain. In muscle pain, pain can be relieved by not moving or keeping the muscles in position. Bone pain does not go away even when you are silent.
Bone pain is usually associated with other conditions such as diseases that affect the structure or function of the bones, or diseases that change the hormones that promote bone growth.
What causes bone pain?
There are several causes of bone pain. Bone pain can occur after an injury such as a car accident or fall. This is the most common cause for bone pain. Fractures or fractures due to injury or trauma cause bone pain.
Another cause of bone pain is mineral deficiency. Your bones need vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus to be healthy. Lack of minerals, either from a poor diet or diseases that reduce mineral absorption can cause bone pain. Bone pain due to calcium and vitamin D deficiency is commonly referred to as osteoporosis.
The most serious type of bone pain is cancer of the bone originating from the bone or cancer that has spread to the bone (metastatic bone cancer). Cancer can damage the bone structure, make bones weak and cause severe bone pain.
Leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow. Bone marrow is a spongy tissue that is located in every bone and they keep our bones regenerating. Leukemia sufferers often experience bone pain, especially in the legs.
Infection of the bones is a serious condition called osteomyelitis. Bone infection will kill bone cells, leading to bone pain.
Bone pain is usually caused by serious conditions. You should see a doctor if:
- You experience unexplained bone pain that doesn't get better within a few days.
- Bone pain is accompanied by weight loss, decreased appetite, or fatigue.
- Bone pain resulting from injury.
How is bone pain diagnosed?
The doctor will find the cause of your bone pain. Treating the cause of bone pain often reduces pain drastically. You need to explain pain to your doctor. Some of the questions asked are:
- Where do you feel the pain?
- When does pain occur?
- Is the pain getting worse?
- Do you have any other symptoms that accompany bone pain?
To get the best diagnosis, your doctor may order several tests including:
- Blood tests (such as CBC, differential blood)
- Bone X-rays, bone scan
- CT or MRI scan
- Hormone level test
- Pituitary and adrenal gland function tests
- Urine test.
How to treat bone pain?
The doctor may decide on treatment for the underlying condition. Treating the condition will make the pain stop. You may be given pain medication such as:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Hormone
- Laxatives (if you become constipated while you are recovering)
- Pain relief
- If the pain is related to bone thinning, you may need treatment for osteoporosis.
If you are deficient in vitamin D and calcium, you may be given supplements. Patients with serious bone pain, such as bone cancer, may need radiation therapy and chemotherapy surgery to improve their condition. The infected bone may need to be removed.
