Bone edema is the accumulation of fluid inside the bone, bone marrow, causing swelling in bone and symptoms such as pain in the affected bone, swelling around, stiffness or difficulty moving the affected limb.
This condition, also called bone marrow edema, can be caused by bone trauma, such as strokes, fractures or bruise, arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis or even bone cancer.
Also read: Fractures: symptoms, causes, types and treatment
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The treatment of bone edema is done by the orthopedist or general practitioner and usually involves rest, application of cold compresses, use of medicines, physiotherapy or surgery in the most severe cases.
Bone edema symptoms
The main symptoms of bone edema are:
- Pain lightly in the affected bone;
- Swelling and redness around the affected region;
- Increased sensitivity on site;
- Stiffness or difficulty in moving the affected limb;
- Feeling of instability in the affected joint.
Pain of bone edema usually worsens with activities and improves with rest and may also be persistent or gradually worse over time.
Bone edema usually happens in bones, such as ankle, knee or hip, although it may arise in any bone of the body.
It is important to consult the orthopedist or general practitioner whenever symptoms of bone edema arise, so that the most appropriate treatment is diagnosed and begins.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of bone edema is made by the orthopedist or general practitioner through the evaluation of symptoms, health history or bone trauma and physical and image or laboratory tests.
Make an appointment with the orthopedist in the region closest to you:
Thus, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may request tests such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
In addition, to identify the cause of bone edema, a bone densitometry, affected bone biopsy or blood tests may be requested.
Also read: Bone densitometry: what it is, what it is for and results
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Possible causes
Bone edema is caused by inflammation within the trabecular or spongy bone, causing fluid accumulation within the bone, bone marrow, leaving the bone weaker.
This condition is less severe than a bone fracture, but it needs treatment to avoid complications.
Who has the highest risk
The main factors that increase the risk of bone edema are:
- Bone fracture or stress fracture;
- Trauma in the bone, such as blows or bruises;
- Arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammation in the tendons;
- Osteoporosis, osteonosis, or bone avascular necrosis;
- Bone infections, osteomyelitis or septic arthritis;
- Bone bone cancer or bone metastases.
In addition, repetitive bone stress, as happens in athletes or people who are starting physical activity, can also cause bone edema.
Other factors are metabolic diseases such as Cushing syndrome, vitamin D deficiency, chronic renal failure or hyperaldosteronism, for example.
Also read: Lack of vitamin D: symptoms, causes and treatment
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How treatment is done
The treatment of bone edema should be done with guidance from the orthopedist or general practitioner and varies according to their cause and severity.
The main treatments for bone edema are:
1.
The rest of the affected joint is important to prevent bone overload and the worsening of bone edema.
Thus, they may be recommended by the doctor to avoid activities that impact the bone.
In addition, the doctor may recommend the use of crutches in cases of ankle, knee or hip bone edema, for example.
2. Apply cold compresses
Applying cold compresses to bone edema helps reduce pain and swelling on site.
To make the cold compress, ice should be placed inside a thermal bag or put the gel bag in the freezer to cool.
Then the bag or gel bag should be wrapped in a clean, dry towel and apply to the affected region, letting it act for 15 to 20 minutes 2 to 3 times a day.
3. Raise the leg
Raising the leg above heart height, it helps stimulate blood circulation and improves the lymphatic system, relieving swelling at the bone edema site, especially when it happens in the ankle or knee.
Thus, you can lie on the bed and put your leg on the headboard or rest your leg on pillows or pillows, for example.
4. Remedies for bone edema
Bone edema remedies can be indicated by the doctor to help relieve symptoms or treat their cause.
The main remedies for bone edema are:
- Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugslike ibuprofen or naproxen;
- Analgesicsas acetaminophen or dipyrone;
- Injection of corticosteroids in the jointin the case of arthritis;
- Antibioticsin cases of bone infections;
- Bifosphonatossuch as alendronate or zoledronic acid, in cases of osteoporosis or avascular necrosis.
In the case of bone edema caused by cancer or metastases in the bone, the person should be referred to the oncologist to perform treatment that involves chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, for example.
Also read: Bone cancer: symptoms, diagnosis, types and treatment
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5. Use of supplements
The use of supplements can be recommended by the doctor to strengthen bones or treat nutritional deficiencies.
Thus, the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements, for example. Learn how to take the calcium supplement and vitamin D.
In addition, the use of supplements can be complemented with a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, found in foods such as milk, eggs or vegetables, for example.
Also read: 9 foods that help strengthen bones
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6. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for bone edema is indicated in order to relieve symptoms, strengthen the muscles around the affected bone, reduce rigidity and decrease pain and inflammation of bone.
In addition, physical therapy helps to accelerate bone edema recovery.
This type of treatment should be done with physiotherapist guidance and can be performed with electromagnetic stimulation (magnetotherapy), laser or ultrasound and specific exercises, for example.
Also read: Magnetotherapy: what it is, benefits and when to use
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7. Surgery
Surgery for bone edema is indicated by the orthopedist in the most severe cases.
This surgery can be done using different techniques, such as bone decompression, bone graft or bone marrow stem cell application to fill the affected bone cavity.
Does bone edema have a cure?
Bone edema has a cure when the treatment is performed according to the doctor’s guidance.
In most cases, bone edema heals alone after the injury or health condition that caused it is treated.
Therefore, it is important to consult the orthopedist or general practitioner as soon as symptoms arise, to identify the cause of bone edema and perform the proper treatment to achieve healing.
Possible complications
The main complications of bone edema are:
- Chronic pain;
- Mobility problems;
- Bone necrosis;
- Stress fractures;
- Damage in the joints or arthrosis.
In addition, in some cases, bone deformities may occur or even surgery to remove the affected bone and place prosthesis, such as knee or hip prosthesis, for example.
These complications are more common when bone edema and their cause are not treated properly.
Also read: Knee prosthesis: what is, types and how surgery is done
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Source: www.tuasaude.com