Difference Between Bone & Joint Pain

Bone and joint pain are two different conditions that can occur in the musculoskeletal system. While bone pain originates inside the bones themselves, joint pain originates at the connections between various bones.

Bone Pain

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, bone pain is less common than joint pain. In some instances, bone pain has obvious sources (such as compound fractures), while in others discovering the source may require extensive testing.

Joint Pain

Joint pain can range from mild to severe, reports the Mayo Clinic. It can occur in joints throughout the body, including the shoulders, back, ankles, knees, hips, jaw, elbows, hands and feet.

Bone Pain Causes

Potential causes of bone pain include bone infection, mineral loss (osteoporosis) and blood supply disruptions such as those found in sickle cell anemia.

Joint Pain Causes

Potential causes of joint pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, juvenile arthritis, gout, dislocations, sprains, strains, rickets, bursitis and Lyme disease.

Considerations

Certain underlying conditions can trigger either bone pain or joint pain. These include direct trauma (bruises and fractures), primary bone cancer (cancer originating in the bones) and cancer that has metastasized (spread) from other areas of the body.

References

• U.S. National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health: Bone Pain or Tenderness
• The Mayo Clinic: Joint Pain (Pages 1 and 2)