Bones are a crucial part of your body's structure. The average adult has about 206 bones, which perform several key functions, including supporting the body and enabling movement, protecting internal organs, producing blood cells, and storing and releasing fats and minerals.

Age, a sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy habits can damage bones, increasing the risk of various diseases and health problems. Early detection of bone damage is crucial for faster recovery and reducing potential complications. Here are 5 signs that may indicate bone damage.

Persistent bone pain. Initial bone damage often manifests as persistent pain in a specific area. This pain worsens over time and isn't relieved by rest or common pain relievers. Bone pain can range from dull aches to sharp, throbbing sensations, often worsening at night or during activities that stress the affected bone. Pain may result from fractures, infections, osteoporosis, or cancer.

Bone cancer pain may initially be intermittent but becomes persistent and intensifies with movement. Prolonged pain can signal bone degeneration or internal organ damage.

Swelling or lumps near the bone. Bone damage often presents as swelling when a lump forms around the affected area. This swelling develops gradually as the bone damage progresses and may go unnoticed initially. Swelling can be caused by inflammation of the tissues near the bone or by tumors leading to abnormal bone growth. The lumps can be soft or hard and sometimes feel warm to the touch due to infection or inflammation. This can cause discomfort in surrounding joints, hindering movement and normal body function.

Limited movement. An early symptom of bone damage is joint stiffness and reduced mobility in the arms, legs, or joints surrounding the injured area. Pain during movement, limping, muscle weakness, and limited ability to extend or flex limbs are typical symptoms of fractures and other joint-related conditions.

Bone damage near the spine can cause neurological symptoms, leading to muscle weakness and tingling sensations in the affected areas. If not detected and treated promptly, the damage can result in permanent disability.

Unexplained fractures. Sudden fractures are often the result of undetected bone weakness. Pathological fractures, unlike those caused by external forces or falls, occur without apparent injury when the bone is already weakened by disease or infection. Conditions like osteoporosis and bone infections accompanied by tumors (benign or malignant) make bones brittle, leading to fractures. These can occur even during everyday activities like bending over, lifting heavy objects, or coughing.

Unexplained fatigue and weight loss. Bone damage from diseases like cancer or infection can lead to systemic symptoms like fatigue and weakness even during rest, unexplained weight loss, low-grade fever, and night sweats. These systemic symptoms develop when the damage affects both bones and other tissues simultaneously. It's important to seek medical attention for persistent fatigue, weight loss, fever, and bone-related discomfort or swelling. Early detection of serious bone conditions leads to better treatment outcomes and a higher chance of recovery.

Bao Bao (Theo Medical News Today, Mayo Clinic)