What are the common causes of bone pain. How can bone pain be distinguished from muscle pain. What are the treatment options for various types of bone pain. How can bone pain be prevented.

Understanding Bone Pain: Differentiating from Muscle and Joint Pain

Bone pain is a distinct type of discomfort that can be challenging to differentiate from muscle or joint pain. While these types of pain may affect similar areas of the body, there are key characteristics that set bone pain apart:

• Bone pain typically feels deeper, sharper, and more intense than muscle pain
• It tends to be more focused and localized compared to the generalized nature of muscle pain
• Bone pain usually lasts longer than muscle pain, which often subsides within a day or two
• It is less common than joint or muscle pain and should always be taken seriously

Understanding these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you experience persistent or severe bone pain, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate assessment.

Common Causes of Bone Pain: From Injuries to Chronic Conditions

Bone pain can arise from various causes, ranging from acute injuries to chronic medical conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

Injuries and Fractures

Acute bone pain often results from injuries, such as fractures or stress fractures. These can occur due to:

• Sudden traumatic events (e.g., car accidents, falls, sports injuries)
• Overuse and repetitive stress, particularly in athletes

Is a stress fracture different from a regular fracture? Yes, a stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, while a regular fracture is a complete break in the bone often resulting from a single, traumatic event.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that reduces bone density and mass, primarily affecting older adults. This condition can lead to:

• Increased risk of painful fractures
• Bone pain, particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist

Cancer-related Bone Pain

Bone pain can be a symptom of cancer, either originating in the bone or spreading from another part of the body. Characteristics of cancer-related bone pain include:

• Pain that often worsens at night
• Discomfort that may temporarily improve with movement
• Possible association with other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or fever

Sickle Cell Disease

This inherited blood disorder can cause severe bone pain due to:

• Lack of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body
• Resulting damage to bones from oxygen deprivation

Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)

Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone that can cause significant pain. It may occur due to:

• Spread of infection from another part of the body
• Direct infection of the bone, often following an injury

Who is at higher risk for osteomyelitis? Children, individuals with sickle cell disease, and those with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk of developing bone infections.

Pregnancy-related Pelvic Bone Pain

Pregnancy can cause a specific type of bone pain known as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP). This condition is characterized by:

• Pain in the pelvic bones during pregnancy
• Discomfort that may persist until after delivery

Diagnosing Bone Pain: The Importance of Professional Assessment

Given the variety of potential causes, accurate diagnosis of bone pain is crucial for effective treatment. The diagnostic process may involve:

• Thorough medical history and physical examination
• Imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or bone scans
• Blood tests to check for infections, inflammatory conditions, or cancer markers
• In some cases, bone biopsy for definitive diagnosis

Why is professional assessment important for bone pain? Professional evaluation ensures accurate diagnosis, which is essential for determining the appropriate treatment plan and preventing potential complications associated with underlying conditions.

Treatment Options for Bone Pain: Tailored Approaches for Different Causes

The treatment of bone pain varies depending on its underlying cause. Here are some common approaches:

Injury-related Bone Pain

For fractures and stress fractures, treatment may include:

• Immobilization with casts or splints for fractures
• Rest, ice, and elevation for stress fractures
• Pain management with over-the-counter or prescription medications
• Physical therapy for rehabilitation

Osteoporosis-related Pain

Management of osteoporosis-induced bone pain often involves:

• Bone-building medications to increase bone density
• Pain medications for symptom relief
• Lifestyle modifications to prevent falls and fractures
• Exercises to improve bone strength and balance

Cancer-related Bone Pain

Treatment for cancer-related bone pain is complex and may include:

• Pain management medications, including opioids if necessary
• Radiation therapy to shrink tumors and relieve pain
• Chemotherapy or targeted therapies to address the underlying cancer
• Surgical interventions in some cases

Sickle Cell Disease-related Bone Pain

Managing bone pain in sickle cell disease may involve:

• Pain medications ranging from over-the-counter options to strong opioids
• Hydration therapy to prevent pain crises
• Blood transfusions in severe cases
• Hydroxyurea to reduce the frequency of pain crises

Osteomyelitis Treatment

Treating bone infections typically requires:

• Antibiotics, either oral or intravenous, depending on severity
• In some cases, surgical intervention to remove infected bone tissue
• Pain management and supportive care

Pregnancy-related Pelvic Bone Pain

While PPGP often resolves after delivery, management during pregnancy may include:

• Physical therapy to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
• Gentle exercises and stretches
• Use of supportive devices like pelvic belts
• Pain relief through safe methods approved for use during pregnancy

How long does it typically take for bone pain to resolve with treatment? The duration of bone pain resolution varies greatly depending on the underlying cause. While some acute injuries may heal in weeks to months, chronic conditions may require ongoing management.

Preventing Bone Pain: Strategies for Maintaining Bone Health

While not all causes of bone pain are preventable, maintaining strong, healthy bones can reduce the risk of certain types of bone pain, particularly those related to osteoporosis and injuries. Key preventive strategies include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on bones
• Ensuring adequate calcium intake through diet or supplements
• Engaging in regular weight-bearing exercises to strengthen bones
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Getting sufficient vitamin D through sunlight exposure or supplements
• Practicing fall prevention techniques, especially for older adults

Can dietary changes significantly impact bone health? Yes, a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients can significantly contribute to bone strength and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis that may lead to bone pain.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Bone Pain

While some minor aches and pains may resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These include:

• Severe or sudden onset of bone pain
• Bone pain accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area
• Pain that persists for more than a few days or worsens over time
• Bone pain associated with unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or fever
• Any bone pain following a significant injury or fall

Why is prompt medical attention important for severe bone pain? Timely medical evaluation can lead to early diagnosis and treatment of potentially serious conditions, preventing complications and improving outcomes.

Living with Chronic Bone Pain: Coping Strategies and Support

For individuals dealing with chronic bone pain, developing effective coping strategies is crucial for maintaining quality of life. Some helpful approaches include:

• Working closely with healthcare providers to optimize pain management
• Engaging in physical therapy or gentle exercises as recommended
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or deep breathing
• Joining support groups to connect with others experiencing similar challenges
• Exploring complementary therapies like acupuncture or massage, under medical supervision
• Making necessary lifestyle adjustments to accommodate limitations

How can chronic bone pain affect mental health? Chronic pain can significantly impact mental health, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. It’s important to address both the physical and emotional aspects of chronic bone pain for comprehensive care.

Understanding bone pain, its causes, and treatment options is essential for anyone experiencing this type of discomfort. By recognizing the unique characteristics of bone pain and seeking appropriate medical care, individuals can work towards effective management and improved overall well-being. Remember, while some causes of bone pain are preventable through lifestyle choices, others may require ongoing medical attention. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and treatment plans tailored to your specific situation.

Bone Pain: What to Know

Written by Gina Shaw

Medically Reviewed by Sanjay Ponkshe on June 04, 2023

• Common Causes of Bone Pain
• Treatment
• Preventing Bone Pain

Bone pain and joint/muscle pain affect similar parts of your body. This can make it hard to tell the difference between them. You might feel muscle pain or aches after a hard workout or when you have the flu. Or you might feel achiness in joints like your ankles, knees, or elbows from arthritis or just getting older.

Bone pain usually feels deeper, sharper, and more intense than muscle pain. Muscle pain also feels more generalized throughout the body and tends to ease within a day or two, while bone pain is more focused and lasts longer. Bone pain is also less common than joint or muscle pain, and should always be taken seriously.

Injury. If you have new, sharp bone pain, you may have a fracture, or broken bone. That can be the result of a sudden traumatic injury, like a car accident, fall, or sports injury. You could also have a small crack in your bone called a stress fracture. Athletes often get these from overusing their bodies.

Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes your bones less dense and takes away bone mass. Typically this happens in older adults. The decrease in bone strength can lead to painful fractures, which can happen anywhere in the body but are most common in the hip, the spine, and the wrist.

Cancer. Bone pain can be a symptom of cancer that has spread from another part of the body into your bones. It can also be a sign of cancer that started in a bone, such as osteosarcoma. This cancer develops most often in the long bones of the arms and the legs. The pain often gets worse at night and can sometimes get better with movement.

Sickle cell disease. When you have this inherited blood disorder, you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen through your body. The lack of oxygen can cause damage to your bone and severe bone pain.

Infection. Infection in the bone is called osteomyelitis. It can happen when an infection that started somewhere else in the body spreads to the bone. It can also start in the bone itself, often because of an injury. Osteomyelitis can affect people at any age but is more common in children. You’re also at higher risk if you have sickle cell disease.

Pregnancy. Pelvic bone pain is a common symptom in pregnancy. You may hear your doctor call it pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP).

To decide on an effective treatment for bone pain, your doctor will need to figure out what is causing it. Some types of bone pain will ultimately go away after treatment, while other types may be chronic and have to be managed for a long time.

Injuries such as fractures may have to be set with a cast or splint. Stress fractures are typically treated with rest, ice, and elevation.

Your doctor can treat osteoporosis-related bone pain with a combination of bone-building medications and pain medications as well as lifestyle changes and fall prevention to help prevent fractures. You may get temporary relief from bone pain by using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.

Osteomyelitis typically requires treatment with either oral or intravenous antibiotics.

Treatment for cancer-related pain can be very complex. Your doctor will choose an option based on the stage of your disease and where the cancer originated.

Bone pain related to sickle cell disease can be treated with a variety of medications depending on how severe it is.

PPGP doesn’t usually go away until after the baby is delivered, but can be helped with physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.

No matter what you think the cause may be, it is important to see a doctor if you have any type of significant bone pain.

Maintaining strong, healthy bones is the best way to prevent at least some types of bone pain, such as those related to osteoporosis. To do that, you should:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Include lots of calcium in your diet.
• Exercise regularly, and be sure to include weight-bearing exercise.
• Avoid smoking.
• Drink only in moderation.

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You may feel pain in your bones due to injury, mineral deficiency, or other health conditions. Symptoms and treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause.

Bone pain is extreme tenderness, aching, or other discomfort in one or more bones. It differs from muscle and joint pain because it’s present whether you’re moving or not. The pain is commonly linked to diseases that affect the normal function or structure of the bone.

Many conditions and events can lead to bone pain.

Injury

Injury is a common cause of bone pain. Typically, this pain arises when a person goes through some form of trauma, such as a car accident or fall. The impact may break or fracture the bone. Any damage to the bone can cause bone pain.

Mineral deficiency

To stay strong, your bones require a variety of minerals and vitamins, including calcium and vitamin D. A deficiency in calcium and vitamin D often leads to osteoporosis, the most common type of bone disease. People in the late stages of osteoporosis often have bone pain.

Metastatic cancer

This is cancer that started somewhere else in the body but spread to other body parts. Cancers of the breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, and prostate are among the cancers that commonly spread to the bones.

Bone cancer

Bone cancer describes cancer cells that originate in the bone itself. Bone cancer is much rarer than metastatic bone cancer. It can cause bone pain when the cancer disrupts or destroys the bone’s normal structure.

Diseases that disturb blood supply to bones

Some diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, interfere with the blood supply to the bone. Without a steady source of blood, bone tissue begins to die. This causes significant bone pain and weakens the bone.

Infection

If an infection originates in or spreads to the bones, it can cause a serious condition known as osteomyelitis. This infection of the bone can kill bone cells and cause bone pain.

Leukemia

Leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow. Bone marrow is found in most bones and is responsible for the production of bone cells. People with leukemia often experience bone pain, especially in the legs.

The most noticeable symptom of bone pain is discomfort whether you’re still or moving.

Other symptoms depend on the particular cause of your bone pain.

Pelvic bone pain is a common occurrence for many pregnant women. This pain is sometimes referred to as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP). Symptoms include pain in the pubic bone and stiffness and pain in the pelvic joints.

PPGP typically doesn’t resolve until after delivery. Early treatment can reduce symptoms, though. Treatment options may include:

• manual therapy to move the joints correctly
• physical therapy
• water exercises
• exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor

While common, PPGP is still abnormal. You should contact your doctor for treatment if you experience pelvic pain.

A doctor needs to identify the pain’s underlying cause to recommend treatment. Treating the underlying cause can drastically reduce or eliminate your pain.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Common questions include:

• Where is the pain located?
• When did you first experience the pain?
• Is the pain getting worse?
• Are there any other symptoms that accompany the bone pain?

Your doctor may order blood tests to look for vitamin deficiencies or cancer markers. Blood tests may also help your doctor detect infections and adrenal gland disorders that can interfere with bone health.

Bone X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can help your doctor evaluate the affected area for injuries, bone lesions, and tumors within the bone.

Urine studies can be used to detect abnormalities within the bone marrow, including multiple myeloma.

In some cases, your doctor will need to run multiple tests to rule out certain conditions and to diagnose the exact cause of your bone pain.

When the doctor has determined the cause of the bone pain, they’ll start treating the underlying cause. They may advise you to rest the affected area as much as possible. They’ll likely prescribe you a pain reliever for moderate to severe bone pain.

If your doctor is unsure of the cause and suspects an infection, they’ll start you on antibiotics. Take the full course of the medication, even if your symptoms go away within a few days. Corticosteroids are also commonly used to reduce inflammation.

The treatment options for bone pain include:

Pain relievers

Pain relievers are among the most commonly prescribed medications to reduce bone pain, but they don’t cure the underlying condition. Over-the-counter treatments such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used. Prescription medications such as Paracetamol or morphine may be used for moderate or severe pain.

Running low? Get Tylenol and ibuprofen now.

Antibiotics

If you have a bone infection, your doctor may prescribe powerful antibiotics to kill the germ that’s causing the infection. These antibiotics may include ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, or vancomycin.

Nutritional supplements

People who have osteoporosis need to restore their calcium and vitamin D levels. Your doctor will give you nutritional supplements to treat the mineral deficiency. Supplements are available in liquid, pill, or chewable form.

Find calcium supplements and vitamin D supplements online.

Cancer treatments

Bone pain caused by cancer is difficult to treat. The doctor will need to treat the cancer to relieve the pain. Common cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (which can increase bone pain). Bisphosphonates are a type of medication that help prevent bone damage and bone pain in people with metastatic bone cancer. Opiate pain relievers may also be prescribed.

Surgery

You may need surgery to remove parts of bone that have died due to infection. Surgery may also be required to re-set broken bones and remove tumors caused by cancer. Reconstructive surgery may be used in severe cases where joints can be replaced or substituted.

Maintaining strong, healthy bones makes it easier to avoid bone pain. To maintain optimal bone health, remember to:

• maintain a healthy exercise plan
• get enough calcium and vitamin D
• drink only in moderation
• avoid smoking

Read more: 8 fast facts about calcium »

Aside from improving bone health, you can also avoid injuries that lead to bone pain. Try to prevent falls by keeping your floors clutter-free and watching for loose rugs or poor lighting. You should also be careful when going up or down the stairs. For sporting activities, especially contact sports like football or boxing, wear proper protective gear.

In many cases, it takes some time to heal the issue causing the bone pain, whether the pain comes from chemotherapy or a fracture.

During recovery, avoid aggravating or bumping the affected areas. This can prevent further injury and pain and allow healing. Rest the affected areas as much as possible and immobilize the area if there’s a risk of further injury.

For some people, aids such as braces, splints, and casts can offer support that can both protect the bone and relieve pain.

Serious conditions are often the cause of bone pain. Even mild bone pain may indicate an emergency condition. If you experience unexplained bone pain that doesn’t improve within a few days, consult your doctor.

You should also see a doctor if the bone pain is accompanied by weight loss, decreased appetite, or general fatigue.

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Bone pain that results from injury should also prompt a doctor’s visit. Medical treatment is required for fractures from direct trauma to the bone. Without proper treatment, bones can heal in incorrect positions and inhibit movement. Trauma also predisposes you to infection.

90,000 Growing pains in children. Causes of occurrence

What it is?

Often, growth pains in the legs include manifestations of discomfort in the absence of organic pathology.

Other names: “recurrent nocturnal limb pain” and “benign limb pain in children” emphasize the features of the condition: nocturnal symptoms that recur and a favorable prognosis.

Meanwhile, the disease disrupts the sleep of a small person and causes concern for moms and dads.

How often do they meet?

The disorder occurs in different countries: from 10 to 50% of boys and girls turn to a pediatrician, orthopedist, rheumatologist with characteristic complaints.

What are the causes of the condition?

Today there is no consensus why it appears. Meanwhile, it was established that “growth pains” actually have nothing to do with the process of growth.

Importance is given to a combination of factors:

• Excessive mobility and physical activity of children in this age period.
• Increased excitability of the nervous system and impressionability of babies. The immature nervous system does not have time to process and interpret the increased number of incoming impulses. At night, at rest, the brain perceives signals of irritation, stretching, pressure as pain.
• Scientists have found that babies who wake up at night crying and complaining of leg twisting have a lower pain threshold. Patients are also hypersensitive to other stimuli.
• A number of studies have found vitamin D deficiency in patients. The problem of this hypovitaminosis is relevant for boys and girls of any age.

In some patients, episodes of headaches and abdominal pain are recorded, the cause of which cannot be determined.

The theory that was popular in recent years about the occurrence of bone pain during growth has not been confirmed. Symptoms do not depend on changes in the musculoskeletal system, jumps and rates of increase in body length.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Symptoms of growing pains scare parents. A typical picture is as follows: the child suddenly wakes up a few hours after falling asleep, crying, with complaints of throbbing, pulling pain in the knees, shins, ankles, calf muscles on both sides.

Pain in the arms is less common, in addition to signs of abnormalities in the knees and lower legs.

For preschoolers, dull arching pain is characteristic, for schoolchildren – a feeling of crawling, a desire to move limbs.

Headache and abdominal discomfort are sometimes noted.

The episode lasts 10-20 minutes, intuitively parents try to improve their well-being by massaging, kneading and rubbing their legs until the child calms down and falls asleep. In the morning, the baby wakes up healthy and often does not remember what happened. During the day, the joints do not bother, and after a night or two the situation is exactly the same.

The frequency of episodes varies from 3-4 times a year to daily, the intensity is from moderate to severe.

Parents note that awakenings are provoked by physical activity, emotional experiences and strong impressions during the day. The problem may disappear for weeks or months and then return.

In the family of patients, similar complaints are mentioned among other relatives.

What is important to know?

• There are no signs of illness during the daytime. No matter how hard the night passes, in the morning the child feels healthy. General well-being also does not suffer: normal temperature is maintained, there are no violations from organs and systems.
• Damage or inflammation of the joints and muscles is not determined by examination: there is no swelling, deformation or discoloration of the skin, the patient can perform all the normal range of motion of the arms and legs.
• Additional examination methods and laboratory tests show no pathology.

How to make a diagnosis?

Suspecting the disease allows a colorful description of the attack and the presence of characteristic criteria:

• repeated nocturnal episodes: more than once a month for at least 3 months;
• bilateral character;
• high intensity: baby wakes up and cries
• after days of increased physical activity
• no visible changes on physical examination
• excellent health of the patient in the daytime.

The diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical signs after the exclusion of other pathology, primarily arthritis.

When carefully examining a small person, pay attention to:

• musculoskeletal disorders: change in movement, joint swelling or tenderness to pressure on bones;
• skin changes that occur in rheumatology: with juvenile dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis;
• gait, which demonstrates abnormalities in lesions of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems;
• an increase in the size of the lymph nodes, liver, spleen is alarming in terms of the tumor process.

The results of laboratory tests and instrumental methods of examination help to confirm the diagnosis.

What diagnostic methods are used?

Changes in tissues are not determined during this process, so instrumental diagnostics is necessary to exclude other, serious pathologies.

The standard examination plan for recurring nocturnal discomfort in the limbs includes clinical and biochemical blood tests with the determination of indicators of the function of internal organs, the level of C-reactive protein, the main marker of inflammation.

With the help of a general urine test, metabolic disorders are detected. If an infection is suspected, the serum is examined for antibodies to bacteria.

Radiography determines bone damage, ultrasound – soft tissue pathology. Instrumental methods of examination are prescribed according to indications.

Which doctor should I contact?

A child who experiences pain in the legs or arms needs a face-to-face examination by a rheumatologist to rule out arthritis.

Situations that require immediate medical attention:

• pain on one side;
• symptoms are present in the morning, afternoon or evening;
• external manifestations of ill health: swelling of soft tissues, fever or discoloration of the skin, impossibility of movement;
• first-time manifestations younger than three and older than 12 years.

How is the disease treated?

Your son or daughter has been diagnosed with growing pains, what should I do?

Firstly, the parent needs to understand and explain to the child the nature of what is happening in an accessible language. This will reduce anxiety and relieve the baby of fear.

Changing the mode will help: reduce physical activity and transfer the time of sports to the first half of the day.

After lunch and in the evening, give preference to calm games. Extend your bedtime rituals and add relaxing treatments: A warm bath, soothing soft music, dimmed lights, or warm milk can help your baby.

During attacks, with light massaging movements, stroke, rub and knead the areas where discomfort is present. To alleviate the condition, dry heat helps: apply a towel or heating pad heated on the radiator to your feet. If necessary, have your son or daughter sit on your lap or lie down next to you until the child calms down.

In most cases, the measures taken are sufficient.

If the episodes are daily or intense, the doctor prescribes ibuprofen at an age-appropriate dosage at the time of the attack or before going to bed.

When vitamin D deficiency is detected, it is necessary to take a therapeutic dose of the drug under the supervision of a doctor.

Is the disease dangerous?

The process does not change the growth and development of a small person, does not destroy bones and joints, and does not lead to other chronic diseases.

Anxiety causes the sensations themselves and nocturnal awakenings, however, they also disturb the parent to a greater extent.

Growing pains in teens disappear at 90% of cases. One in 20 patients persists into adulthood.

The danger is represented by serious violations with similar manifestations, which are disguised as a benign process.

You should be alerted if

• a pathological process prevents the baby from getting enough sleep and functioning normally: to study, play, explore the world around;
• symptoms are noted in the morning or in the afternoon, their intensity increases;
• discomfort associated with a traumatic event;
• there is swelling, redness, rash or skin changes in the painful area;
• developed fever, change in appetite, weakness and fatigue.

Conclusion

Growth pain is a benign condition that does not affect growth and development, which develops in 1-5 out of 10 children – preschoolers and younger schoolchildren. The main manifestation is a recurring nocturnal pain in both legs, from which the child wakes up. The phenomenon is temporary and does not harm the general health of a small person.

If you suspect a pathological process, contact your pediatrician and visit a rheumatologist to rule out inflammation in the joints.

Sources:

1. Cassidy JT. Progress in diagnosis and understanding chronic pain syndromes in children and adolescents // Adolesc Med, 1998
2. Pavone V, Lionetti E, Gargano V, et al. Growing pains: a study of 30 cases and a review of the literature // J Pediatr Orthop, 2011
3. Sarycheva L.V., Growing pains in children. Are we sick or growing? // GKUZ NSO RCMP, 2009
4. Korovina N.A., Tvorogova T. M., Gavryushova L.P., Vorobieva A.S. Safety criteria for the use of calcium preparations for the prevention of osteopenia in adolescents // Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, 2006
5. Saggese G., Baroncelli G.I., Btrtelloni S. // J. Pediatr. Endocrinol. Metab, 2001

Post covid syndrome: why muscles, ligaments, joints hurt and what to do about it

https://sputnik.by/20211108/postkovidnyy-sindrom-pochemu-bolyat-myshtsy-svyazki-sustavy-i-chto-s-etim-delat-1057762815.html

joints and what to do about it

Post-covid syndrome: why muscles, ligaments, joints hurt and what to do about it

How coronavirus infection affects the musculoskeletal system and how to support the body during illness and after it – in the Sputnik material. 11/08/2021, Sputnik Belarus

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90 006 doctor’s advice

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coronavirus covid-19

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According to statistics during the development of COVID-19Pain in the musculoskeletal system accounts for 10 to 30 percent of cases. But it is in the post-COVID period that the likelihood of exacerbation and development of persistent musculoskeletal pain syndrome, as well as rheumatic diseases, increases. Martusevich told Sputnik correspondent Olga Demenchuk about the impact of COVID-19on the musculoskeletal system, and also shared valuable recommendations on how to support the body during this difficult period. How many antibodies are needed to protect against the “delta” strain of coronavirus >>> Much is known about the relationship of post-COVID syndrome and the development of musculoskeletal pain, but many questions will still have to be answered due to the lack of a sufficient amount of reliable scientific and statistical data. In severe disease, it can reach 80 percent. However, in some cases, its clinical manifestations do not depend on the severity of COVID-19. In other words, a person can easily endure the coronavirus, but at the same time he will have pronounced manifestations of the post-covid syndrome involving the musculoskeletal system. The classification and approach to the treatment of post-covid syndrome have not been finally developed and are under discussion,” explains Natalya Martusevich. Why a negative test occurs with COVID-19, Rospotrebnadzor explained , which appear several weeks or months after infection with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of viral status.NICE classification distinguishes post-acute (symptoms last more than three weeks, but less than three months), chronic (lasts more than three months) and long-term course of coronavirus when symptoms persist for four or more weeks.Often, long-term coronavirus is confused with post-covid syndrome (from 12 weeks or more).According to studies by American scientists, patients with a mild form of COVID-19had a fairly high risk of sudden death within twelve months after the disease. How musculoskeletal pain manifests itself with COVID-19 The professor notes that during COVID-19 disease, the patient may develop arthralgia (joint pain that is not accompanied by inflammation and / or changes in mobility), myositis (inflammatory lesions of the skeletal muscles of various origins, symptoms and course), muscle pain, however, serious musculoskeletal problems most often catch a person in the post-covid period – after three or six months after the disease. At this time, patients begin to experience pain in the musculoskeletal system, it becomes difficult to walk and even roll over in bed. A person begins to feel, simply put, a wreck. Also, a coronavirus infection triggers the development of autoimmune diseases, direct inflammation of the joints (arthritis), manifests or exacerbates secretly flowing (rheumatoid arthritis) or already existing diseases (osteoarthritis). How to protect yourself from a severe form of COVID-19, scientists found out >>>Muscular-skeletal pain is a general concept that includes manifestations of different origin and mechanism of development – arthralgic (joint pain), arthritic (inflammation), myalgic (muscle pain) and pain in bones after a coronavirus infection, which are persistent or wavy in nature. After a coronavirus, someone may have pain and swelling of the joints – this is how arthritis develops, someone develops soreness in muscles, ligaments or bones. The person begins to panic and think that he is ill with COVID-19again, or he develops an autoimmune disease. “In 80 percent of cases, patients come to us with post-covid pain in the musculoskeletal system. In 99 percent of cases, people do not know that they have previously had a coronavirus infection. It is important to note that in the diagnosis of post-covid syndrome, it is important to establish the fact of the disease – this will allow us to find the keys to further adequate treatment,” notes Natalia Martusevich. How have the symptoms of COVID changed, which require urgent hospitalization >>>After coronavirus, the mechanism of pain in the musculoskeletal structures, and secondarily, muscles. And if a person has not had this infection, then the appearance of pain indicates the development of a rheumatic disease, in which the treatment tactics are completely different. If pain occurs in the muscles, ligaments, joints, you should consult a rheumatologist. “Based on the tests, the specialist will determine whether you have been ill with covid or not, and will select the appropriate treatment,” the specialist draws attention.. With coronavirus, the lungs suffer, which means that the muscles do not receive the right amount of oxygen. Consequently, musculoskeletal pain appears when moving. Soreness in the muscles and ligaments also appears with damage to the heart, kidneys, endocrine disorders. In the treatment of post-covid syndrome, it is important to determine the nature of musculoskeletal pain. For example, signs of an inflammatory syndrome of muscles, ligaments and joints are pain at rest, which intensifies at night and in the morning. More often it is nociceptive, which is pain associated with irritation of nerve receptors. “Starts like a typical ARVI”: infectious disease specialist warned about COVID changes Most often, after the secretive course of the coronavirus, musculoskeletal pain is of a neuropathic nature. Also quite often there is a lesion of the ligamentous apparatus: a person turns out to be chained in a shell – the shoulder and hip joints hurt, the elasticity of the ligaments decreases. The mechanism of these processes is not completely clear, because there are no vessels in the ligaments, but there are receptors for the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which the coronavirus infection clings to. Musculoskeletal pain during a pandemic is a very complex differential diagnostic pattern that the patient cannot figure out on his own. When pain occurs, patients should be careful when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – only a doctor can evaluate their appropriateness, effectiveness and possible risks. Swimming is recommended (both the pool and the sea are suitable), but always in warm water with a temperature of 26 degrees and above, as well as Nordic walking, which will fix the work of the shoulder joints in the correct position. However, physical activity should be comfortable, in no case through force. Do not forget about observing the thermal regime – legs, ankles, hips and lower back should be in dry heat. How to recover from COVID-19– advice from a physiotherapist >>>Regardless of damage to organs and systems, it is advisable to take magnesium preparations – this microelement is a very important component for the normal functioning of the ligamentous apparatus and the inclusion of the entire body detoxification system. Magnesium is included in the structure of about three hundred enzymes that are involved in cleansing the body. Selenium supports the musculoskeletal system well – for this you can eat two brazil nuts every day, but without simultaneous consumption with carbohydrates. Doctors have named a way to quickly restore the sense of smell after coronavirus >>>Also, the expert recommends including foods rich in vitamin in the diet C. “You can fill the daily need for vitamin C with one large red pepper – it is better if it is from your garden, two kiwis, as well as currants, cranberries or lingonberries. However, for those who have had liver damage during a coronavirus infection, from eating berries should be avoided. Long-term use of high doses of vitamin C is not recommended due to the high risks of hypercoagulability, increased glucose levels and the formation of kidney stones, “concludes the chief freelance rheumatologist of the Ministry of Health. Read also:

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According to statistics, with the development of COVID-19, pain in the musculoskeletal system ranges from 10 to 30 percent of cases. But it is in the post-COVID period that the likelihood of exacerbation and the development of persistent musculoskeletal pain syndrome, as well as rheumatic diseases, increases.

Professor of the Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine of the Belarusian State Medical University, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Chairman of the NGO “Belarusian Society of Rheumatologists”, Chief Freelance Rheumatologist of the Ministry of Health Natalya Martusevich told Sputnik correspondent Olga Demenchuk about the impact of COVID-19on the musculoskeletal system, and also shared valuable recommendations on how to support the body during this difficult period.

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Musculoskeletal pain in post-covid syndrome

The specialist says that today a lot is known about the relationship between post-covid syndrome and the development of musculoskeletal pain However, many questions will still have to be answered due to the lack of a sufficient amount of reliable scientific and statistical data.

“At the moment, the prevalence of post-COVID syndrome has not been finally determined and ranges from 10 to 35 percent. In severe cases, it can reach 80 percent. However, in some cases, its clinical manifestations do not depend on the severity of COVID-19. In other words, a person can easily tolerate coronavirus, but at the same time he will have pronounced manifestations of post-covid syndrome involving the musculoskeletal system. The classification and approach to the treatment of post-covid syndrome have not been finalized and are under discussion,” explains Natalia Martusevich.

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Post-covid syndrome is a set of existing or developing symptoms in patients that appear several weeks or months after infection with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of viral status .

According to the NICE classification, there are post-acute (symptoms last more than three weeks, but less than three months), chronic (lasts more than three months) and long-term course of coronavirus, when symptoms persist for four or more weeks. Often, long-term coronavirus is confused with post-covid syndrome (12 weeks or more).

According to research by American scientists, patients with a mild form of COVID-19 had a fairly high risk of sudden death within twelve months after the illness.

How musculoskeletal pain manifests itself in COVID-19

The professor notes that during the COVID-19 disease, the patient may develop arthralgia (joint pain that is not accompanied by inflammation and / or changes in mobility), myositis (inflammatory damage to skeletal muscles of various origins, symptoms and course), muscle pain, however, serious musculoskeletal problems most often catch a person precisely in the post-covid period – after three or six months after the disease. At this time, patients begin to experience pain in the musculoskeletal system, it becomes difficult to walk and even roll over in bed. A person begins to feel, simply put, a wreck.

Coronavirus infection also triggers the development of autoimmune diseases, direct inflammation of the joints (arthritis), manifests or exacerbates latent (rheumatoid arthritis) or already existing diseases (osteoarthritis).

Scientists have found out how to protect yourself from a severe form of COVID-19 >>>

), myalgic (pain in the muscles) and bone pain after a coronavirus infection, which are persistent or undulating.

After the coronavirus, someone may have pain and swelling of the joints – this is how arthritis begins, someone has pain in the muscles, ligaments or bones. The person begins to panic and think that he has contracted COVID-19 again or that he is developing an autoimmune disease.

“In 80 percent of cases, patients come to us with post-covid pain in the musculoskeletal system. In 99 percent of cases, people do not know that they have previously had a coronavirus infection. It is important to note that in the diagnosis of post-covid syndrome, it is important to establish the fact of the disease – will allow us to find the keys to further adequate treatment,” notes Natalia Martusevich.

How did the symptoms of COVID that require urgent hospitalization >>>

After the coronavirus, the mechanism of pain in the musculoskeletal system is most often caused by damage to the nervous structures, secondarily to the muscles. And if a person has not had this infection, then the appearance of pain indicates the development of a rheumatic disease, in which the treatment tactics are completely different.

If you experience pain in the muscles, ligaments, joints, you should consult a rheumatologist. “Based on the tests, the specialist will determine whether you have had covid or not, and will select the appropriate treatment,” the specialist draws attention.

Why muscle pain occurs

Muscle pain can be caused by damage to organs and systems after COVID-19. With coronavirus, the lungs suffer, which means that the muscles do not receive the right amount of oxygen. Consequently, musculoskeletal pain appears when moving. Soreness in the muscles and ligaments also appears with damage to the heart, kidneys, endocrine disorders.

In the treatment of post-COVID syndrome, it is important to determine the nature of musculoskeletal pain. For example, signs of an inflammatory syndrome of muscles, ligaments and joints are pain at rest, which intensifies at night and in the morning. More often it is nociceptive, which is pain associated with irritation of nerve receptors.

“It starts like a typical ARVI”: an infectious disease specialist warned about changes in COVID >>>

Everything that twists, cuts, shoots, bakes and burns is not an inflammatory manifestation, but a neuropathic pain that cannot be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids.

Most often, after the latent course of coronavirus, musculoskeletal pain is of a neuropathic nature. Also quite often there is a lesion of the ligamentous apparatus: a person turns out to be chained in a shell – the shoulder and hip joints hurt, the elasticity of the ligaments decreases. The mechanism of these processes is not completely clear, because there are no vessels in the ligaments, but there are receptors for the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which the coronavirus infection clings to.

Musculoskeletal pain during a pandemic is a very complex differential diagnostic pattern that the patient cannot figure out on his own. When pain occurs, patients should be careful when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – only a doctor can evaluate their appropriateness, effectiveness and possible risks.

How to support the musculoskeletal system

It is necessary to continue to live a healthy lifestyle as much as possible – stretching exercises such as Pilates are especially good. Swimming is recommended (both the pool and the sea are suitable), but always in warm water with a temperature of 26 degrees and above, as well as Nordic walking, which will fix the work of the shoulder joints in the correct position.

However, physical activity should be comfortable, in no case through force. Do not forget about the observance of the thermal regime – the legs, ankles, hips and lower back should be in dry heat.

How to recover from COVID-19 – advice from a physiotherapist >>>

Regardless of the damage to organs and systems, it is desirable to take magnesium preparations – this microelement is a very important component for the normal functioning of the ligamentous apparatus and the activation of the entire detoxification system of the body. Magnesium is included in the structure of about three hundred enzymes that are involved in cleansing the body.

Selenium supports the musculoskeletal system well – for this you can eat two Brazil nuts every day, but without simultaneous consumption with carbohydrates.