When you have bone marrow edema, your body produces extra fluid in the bones. This can cause pain, inflammation and pressure in the joints. However, there are treatment options available. These treatments can help ease the pain and swelling.
Bone marrow edema is typically caused by injury or a chronic disease, such as osteoporosis. It can also be caused by cancer. If you experience bone marrow edema, it’s important to identify and treat it promptly. Some medications and physical therapy can help you get better.
The first thing that you’ll need to do if you have bone marrow edema is to ask your doctor about the best ways to treat it. Treatments can include pain medication, rest, therapy, and surgery. You may have to wait a few months or even years to see improvement, though. Luckily, you can usually get relief from bone marrow edema by following a few simple steps.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order an ultrasound test to look at the areas of the body that are affected by the edema. There are also MRI and CT scans, which can help your doctor determine the extent of the edema. Unlike X-rays, these imaging tests allow for better visualization of the bones and the cartilage surrounding them. Your doctor can tell if you have bone marrow oedema by seeing your blood clotting or by looking at the lining of the joint.
In addition to MRI and CT scans, your doctor may recommend a bone biopsy to determine the reason for the edema. The bone may be infected, which means the edema is caused by a problem that needs to be treated. A biopsy can also help to rule out more serious conditions.
Another way to find out if you have bone marrow iedema is to have an ultrasound test. During the procedure, a doctor uses an ultrasound probe to examine the area of the body where the edema is causing problems. He or she can use this to see if you have a calcified lesion or pseudocyst.
Medications and surgery can help relieve bone marrow edema, but they’re not always effective. If your doctor doesn’t think that your edema is caused by a serious issue, you might have to wait for the condition to subside on its own. If it doesn’t, you can take NSAIDs to reduce the swelling and use ice to help the edema subside.
Osteoarthritis is another condition that can cause bone marrow edema. This disease occurs when the cartilage in the joint breaks down, allowing the fluid to build up in the joint. Symptoms of this disease are often described as “wear and tear arthritis.” Fortunately, osteoarthritis is usually a manageable condition, and it can lead to easier fractures.
While bone marrow edema is not a permanent condition, it is often painful and uncomfortable. It can take months or even years to heal, and it can affect your entire body. Because of this, you might have to take time off work to get over the discomfort.
