Osteoporosis: Managing bone pain

Bone pain is one of the most challenging aspects of osteoporosis for children, families and even health-care providers. Some children with osteoporosis will have bone pain often, but others might only have pain when they fracture a bone.

Sometimes it can be very difficult to decide if your child's pain is related to their bones or has another cause. Always discuss your child's pain with their bone health doctor or nurse.​

Over-the-counter medications

• Your child's doctor or nurse may recommend that your child try over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Follow the instructions on the box or ask your pharmacist for help when giving pain medications to your child.

Heat and cold

• Switch between hot and cold compresses on the area of bone pain. You can buy products to make hot and cold compresses in a pharmacy or grocery store. Or, if you prefer, you can make compresses yourself by soaking a cloth in hot or cold water and sealing it inside a plastic bag.
• Always wrap the compress in a towel before applying it to your child's skin. Leave it on for a maximum of 15 minutes at a time.

Movement

• Encourage your child to be active and move around as much as they can. This helps their blood flow and encourages their muscles to support their bones.

Proper footwear

• Active children can have bone pain after a lot of exercise. Make sure your child wears proper running shoes with good support to reduce the risk of pain in their heels, shins or knees.
• If your child still has heel, shin or knee pain when they are active, try using a gel insert inside their shoes to provide extra cushioning and support. You can buy these at your local pharmacy or sports store.

Distraction and relaxation

• Encourage your child to do something they enjoy - this can help distract them from the pain.
• Let your child use their imagination to take their mind off their pain, for example by picturing a favourite situation or memory. Having your child describe the scene using all their senses focuses their attention on something other than their pain.
• Your child can also use muscle relaxation to ease pain. This involves tensing and relaxing specific groups of muscles before moving on to the next group. It can be done with audio guidance.

Sources

National Institute of Health (2013). Publications on bone health, osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (2011). Osteoporosis information for patients.

International Osteoporosis Foundation (2013). Bone health brochures.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation (2013). Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Guide for Medical Professionals, Individuals and Families affected by OI.