Yes, bones can feel pain, but not in the same way that soft tissues like skin do. The pain we experience that we associate with bones actually originates from the tissues surrounding the bone, such as the periosteum (the membrane covering the bone) and the bone marrow.
How Bone Pain Works
- Nerve Innervation: Sensory neurons, specifically those involved in detecting pain (nociceptors), innervate the periosteum and bone marrow. These nerves detect noxious stimulation and transmit pain signals to the brain. Clinical and experimental observations suggest that bone pain can be derived from noxious stimulation of the periosteum or bone marrow. Sensory neurons are known to innervate the periosteum and marrow cavity, and most of these have a morphology and molecular phenotype consistent with a role in nociception.
- Types of Bone Pain: Bone pain is often described as a dull, achy pain, often felt deep within the body. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location. Bone pain belongs to the class of deep somatic pain, often experienced as a dull pain that cannot be localized accurately by the patient. The intensity and character of the pain vary depending on the underlying cause.
- Causes of Bone Pain: Numerous conditions can cause bone pain, including:
- Fractures
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Bone cancer
- Infections
- Paget's disease
- Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to the bones)
Bone pain can come and go, or it can be constant. It is often worse at night. There are many possible causes of bone pain, including arthritis, fracture, and growing pains. Less commonly, it can point to bone cancer.
Understanding the Misconception
It's important to understand that the bone itself doesn't contain pain receptors in the same way skin does. The pain sensation arises from the irritation or damage of the nerve endings in the surrounding tissues.
