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Damage to the periosteum (traumatic periostitis): causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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ICD-10 code
T14. Injury of unspecified location.
What causes periosteal damage?
Traumatic periostitis is a type of soft tissue contusion that occurs as a result of a direct mechanism of injury. The most frequently affected areas are those bone areas that do not have a muscle cover and are adjacent to the skin: the crest of the tibia, the lower third of the forearm, the bones of the skull, etc. As a result of mechanical damage to the periosteum, its aseptic inflammation develops.
Symptoms of periosteal injury
In the acute stage, the symptoms of traumatic periostitis are no different from those of a bruise.
Diagnosis of periosteal damage
Anamnesis
The anamnesis indicates trauma.
Inspection and physical examination
In the acute stage, swelling, bruising and pain are detected at the site of injury. In the following days, weeks and even months, local tissue edema and severe pain syndrome continue to persist. Palpation in the area of injury reveals a thickening of significant density emanating from the bone.
Laboratory and instrumental studies
In the acute stage, no pathology is found on radiographs of the tibia (the most common localization of periostitis).
During the treatment, the lesion undergoes reverse development, the tissue structure is restored, takes its original form, but in some cases, ossifying periostitis may develop. Then, on radiographs, parallel to the cortical layer of the bone and next to it, a dark strip appears, which subsequently merges with the shadow of the bone, forming stratifications with a wavy or jagged surface.
[ Treatment of periosteal damage
First aid
Immediately after the injury, the damaged area is irrigated with ethyl chloride.
Conservative treatment of periosteal damage
An ice pack is used for 1-2 days. Rest and an elevated position of the limb are prescribed. From the 3rd day, UHF is performed, then electrophoresis of procaine, iodine, ozokerite applications, ultraviolet irradiation. If there is a risk of infection, antibiotics are prescribed.