Bone pain can be caused by injuries, fractures, infections, cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Diagnosis involves physical and medical history, blood tests, and imaging. Treatment depends on the cause and may include surgery, antibiotics, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, steroids, and pain medication.
There are several causes of bone pain, including injuries, fractures, and infections. The cause of this pain can come from something as minor, like overuse, or from a serious medical condition like cancer. Occasionally a rare condition, such as Paget’s disease, can cause bone tenderness.
Cancer bone pain can result from a malignant tumor, which started in the bone, or from cancer that has spread from its original site to the bone. The pain can result from damage to the bone itself, surrounding nerves, or bone tissue. Bones can become weak from certain cancers or cancer treatments, which can lead to fractures and pain. Some drugs used to treat cancer, such as hormone therapy and chemotherapy, can also cause bone pain as a side effect.
Bone fractures are a common cause of bone pain. Although many times it is obvious that a fracture has occurred, small stress fractures may go undiagnosed for a while. Small cracks can develop in bones from repeated stress on a bone, which can also cause pain.
Other causes of bone pain include arthritis, which is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, although it can also cause bone pain in some people. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to weaken. While bone pain isn’t a common symptom of the condition, it can occur.
Some causes of bone pain can be easy to diagnose, such as a broken bone. Other times several medical tests may be needed to determine a diagnosis. The first step in determining the cause of the pain will be a physical and medical history. A pain sufferer’s doctor will likely ask when the pain started, how bad it is, what exacerbates it, and if anything relieves the pain.
Blood tests may also be ordered to rule out infection or check for cancers, such as leukemia, that can be causing this pain. X-rays will likely be recommended to check for fractures. Further tests ordered may include a CT scan or MRI.
Treatment for this type of pain depends on the cause. Some fractures may require surgery. If the pain is caused by a bone infection, antibiotics will probably be needed. Painful bones due to cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some types of pain may respond to steroids, which reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter pain medications or prescription narcotic pain medications may also be given to reduce discomfort.
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