^

Health

A
A
A

Damage to the periosteum (traumatic periostitis): causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

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.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Differential diagnosis of periosteal injury

Ossifying periostitis should be differentiated from specific and malignant diseases.

trusted-source[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

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.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.