Generality
Bone edema is the medical term for the abnormal accumulation of fluids inside the bones with bone marrow.
More frequent in the long bones of the upper and lower limbs, bone edema can arise as a result of: severe trauma to the bones, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, injuries to the ligaments of an important joint, episodes of severe synovitis, osteonecrosis or tumors of the bones of primary type.
Bone Marrow Edema caused by a Contusion. Image from the site: diagnosticimaging.com
Bone edema can be asymptomatic or symptomatic. In the latter case, the most common symptom is pain in the affected bone.
For a correct and safe diagnosis of bone edema, the most suitable examination is magnetic resonance imaging.
In most cases, the treatment consists of: rest, applying ice to the painful area and injections of corticosteroids, against inflammation.
Rarely, and due to certain triggering factors, the treatment can also be surgical.
