While BME can occur in any bone, the legs are most often affected.
Bone marrow edema in thekneejoint is especially common.
Bone marrow edema of the knee or any other bone is diagnosed usingmagnetic resonance imaging(MRI).
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Examples of changes includeosteoarthritisandbone stress injurieslike bone bruises.
This damages the bone marrow tissue, resulting ininflammatory rheumatic bone marrow edema.
When this affects the knee joint,ischemic bone marrow edema of the kneecan occur.
Avascular necrosis can happen after a fracture that damages nearby blood vessels.
Bone marrow edema of the knee can stimulate nerve fibers that transmit pain signals.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a noninvasive procedure performed on an outpatient basis.
Surgery
Bone marrow edema doesn’t always require surgery.
However,core decompressionmay be done to address disrupted circulation to the bone marrow, which often occurs.
It is also commonly performed to manage or prevent avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis.
Fortunately, bone marrow edemas can be treated to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage.
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National Library of Medicine StatPearls.Bone marrow edema syndrome.
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Published 2021 Oct 22. doi:10.3390/medicina57111143
