The most common causes of bone marrow edema are injury to the bone itself or to the surrounding connective tissue. It may also be caused by osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. Occasionally, bone marrow edema may be the result of bone cancer, inflammation of the synovial membrane, and bruising.

In the most simple terms, bone marrow edema is fluid retention in the bone marrow. Bone marrow refers to the spongy materials location inside the bones of most animals and humans. It contains a variety of important biological materials and is responsible for the manufacturing of white and red blood cells.

Most causes of bone marrow edema are related to an injury to the bone or the surrounding area. This can include fractures, bruises, and torn tissue. Those who play high impact sports are at a higher risk for bone marrow edema, because sports related injuries are common. These injuries generally heal with proper treatment, and fluid buildup typically subsides gradually as the bone heals.

Certain autoimmune disorders, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, can also cause edema. They typically cause swelling at the joints, which can in turn lead to damage and injury over time. This leads to fluid buildup and can cause severe pain and swelling. Medications may help to alleviate symptoms, although there is no cure for either of these conditions.

Rarely cancer of the bones or a tumor will be the cause of bone marrow edema. This often include cancers which impact the marrow directly, such as leukemia. Cancers are usually treated with surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplant. Sometimes a tumor found in the bone marrow is noncancerous and is removed if it causes pain or swelling. These benign tumors are generally not life threatening.

Bone marrow edema can cause severe and chronic pain for sufferers. Treatments generally include anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and additional medications targeted to the underlying cause of edema. On rare occasions, surgery may be used. The most common procedure is called core decompression, and it requires a hole to be drilled into the area to allow increased blood flow.

Patients may not realize they have bone marrow edema based on symptoms alone, which can include stiffness, pain, and swelling in the joints and bones. Diagnosis is usually made based on the results of various clinical tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Once it is determined that there is fluid in the marrow, additional tests may be done to find the underlying cause.