Bone marrow is a spongy, flexible substance located inside of a bone. It is responsible for the production of new blood cells. These cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets transport oxygen, fight off infection and enable the blood to clot to stop excessive bleeding with an injury. Bone marrow edema, or BME, is a protective reaction of the body in response to an injury or stress. In general terms, bone marrow edema means there is fluid within the bone marrow.

Edema, or the inflammation causing excess fluid in the bone marrow, is only a symptom. In other words, in order for this condition to be present, there must be an underlying cause. Bone marrow changes due to bone marrow edema can occur with incidences like fractures, a break in the continuity of the bone, ligament injuries where a trauma is sustained to the connective tissue which connects the bone to the muscle, bone bruises and synovitis. Synovitis is the inflammation of the synovial membrane, or the lining of joints. This excessive fluid buildup can also occur with conditions such as osteoarthritis, a joint disorder caused by wear and tear, osteoporosis or softening of the bone, ischemia, a decrease of blood flow, and tumors.

Bone marrow edema can be present with or without pain and dysfunction of the bone or joint involved. Often the symptoms experienced relate to the underlying cause of fluid buildup. For example, transient mild to moderate pain may be present with structural changes of the joint which occur over time. This can be seen with arthritis symptoms, when severe acute pain may be a sign of some sort of trauma to the bone as seen with bruising or fractures. Excess fluid or inflammation is commonly found through radiographic images such as an MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Treatment for bone marrow edema directly corresponds to the underlying cause of swelling and fluid buildup. Proper care of acute injuries and management of medical conditions causing this increase in bone marrow fluid may ease symptoms of pain and dysfunction. The use of analgesics, and in severe cases, steroid injections to decrease inflammation may be utilized in some instances whereas other conditions may require a more aggressive treatment protocol. Surgical intervention to repair damaged ligaments, pin fractures for proper healing, or remove tumor growths may be necessary to decrease chronic or long lasting edema issues and pain.