Bone marrow edema can be caused by injury, osteoarthritis, autoimmune disorders, and rarely, bone cancer. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness. Treatment includes medication and surgery, and diagnosis is made through clinical tests such as MRI.
The most common causes of bone marrow edema are injury to the bone itself or the surrounding connective tissue. It can also be caused by osteoarthritis and other joint ailments. Occasionally, it can be the result of bone cancer, inflammation of the synovial membrane, and bruising.
In simple terms, bone marrow edema is fluid collecting in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy substance inside many of the bones of most animals and humans. It contains a variety of important biological materials and is responsible for the production of white and red blood cells.
Most causes of edema in the bone marrow are related to an injury to the bone or surrounding area. This can include fractures, bruising and torn tissue. Those who play high-impact sports are at a higher risk of developing the condition because sports-related injuries are common. These injuries generally heal with proper treatment, and the fluid buildup typically decreases gradually as the bone heals.
Some autoimmune disorders, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, can also cause edema. They typically cause swelling in the joints, which in turn can lead to damage and injury over time. This often leads to fluid buildup and can cause severe pain and swelling. Medications can help relieve symptoms, although there is no cure for any of these conditions.
Rarely, bone cancer or a tumor will cause bone marrow edema. These can include cancers that directly affect the marrow, such as leukemia. Cancer can be treated with surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Sometimes, a tumor found in the bone marrow is not cancerous and is removed if it causes pain or swelling, but these benign tumors are generally not life-threatening.
Bone marrow edema can cause severe and chronic pain for sufferers. Treatments generally include anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and additional medications that target the underlying cause of the edema. On rare occasions, surgery may be performed to relieve the condition. The most common procedure is called core decompression and requires a hole to be drilled in the area to allow for increased blood flow.
Patients may not realize they have bone marrow edema based on symptoms alone, which can include stiffness, pain, and swelling of the joints and bones. Diagnosis is usually made based on the results of various clinical tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Once the presence of fluid in the marrow is determined, further tests can be done to find the underlying cause.
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