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 less common than joint pain and muscle pain. The source of bone pain may be clear, such as from a fracture following an accident. Other causes, such as cancer that spreads (metastasizes) to the bone, may be less obvious.
Causes
Bone pain can occur with injuries or conditions such as:
- 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)
- Injury (trauma)
- Leukemia
- Loss of mineralization (osteoporosis)
- Overuse
- Toddler fracture (a type of stress fracture that occurs in toddlers)
Home Care
See your health care provider if you have bone pain and do not know why it is occurring.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Take any bone pain or tenderness very seriously. Contact your provider if you have any unexplained bone pain.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam.
Some questions that may be asked include:
- Where is the pain located?
- How long have you had pain and when did it start?
- Is the pain getting worse?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
You may have the following tests:
- Blood tests (such as CBC, blood differential)
- Bone x-rays, including a bone scan
- CT or MRI scan
- Hormone level tests
- Pituitary and adrenal gland function tests
- Urine tests
Depending on the cause of the pain, your provider may prescribe:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Hormones
- Laxatives (if you develop constipation during prolonged bed rest)
- Pain relievers
If pain is related to thinning bones, you may need treatment for osteoporosis.
References
Jones RL. Malignant tumors of bone, sarcomas, and other soft tissue neoplasms. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 187.
Kim C, Kaar SG. Commonly encountered fractures in sports medicine. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 10.
Weber TJ. Osteoporosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 225.
Whyte MP, Dahir KM. Osteonecrosis, osteosclerosis/hyperostosis, and other disorders of bone. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 229.
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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