What does periostitis mean?
Periostitis is the inflammation of the periosteum, the tough, fibrous membrane that covers the outside of a bone. The periosteum contains many blood vessels and nerve endings, so inflammation can produce pronounced pain, tenderness, and swelling, especially when the affected bone is moved or pressed. The condition may follow trauma, strain, infection, or another medical condition, and it can occur at different sites, including the shin, jaw, and ribs. “Tibial periostitis,” for example, is sometimes associated with vigorous running on hard surfaces. Although the term is sometimes used informally for shin pain, medically it refers specifically to inflammation of the membrane surrounding a bone rather than pain arising from the bone or joint itself. The word is especially useful to anyone reading a clinical report, since it identifies both the affected tissue and the inflammatory process.
nounInflammation of the periosteum, the dense membrane that covers the outer surface of a bone. It may result from injury, infection, or other conditions and can cause localized pain, swelling, and tenderness.
- Inflammation of the periosteum, the membrane covering the outer surface of a bone.
"The athlete was diagnosed with tibial periostitis after training on unusually hard surfaces."
"The doctor diagnosed acute periostitis in her shin and recommended rest and anti-inflammatory medication."
"Persistent coughing can sometimes be associated with periostitis of the ribs in children."
Periostitis is normally used as a mass noun. The plural periostitides is used in medical writing for separate cases or affected sites.
"The imaging showed periostitis along the outer surface of the tibia."
Periostitis puts the ouch in a bone's armor: the periosteum is richly supplied with nerves and highly sensitive to pain.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does periostitis come from?
The term comes from Greek roots describing a structure around bone: the Greek noun periosteon, meaning the membrane surrounding a bone, was formed from peri-, “around,” and osteon, “bone.” The English medical suffix -itis was added to indicate inflammation. Its relatives include periosteum, the anatomical membrane itself, and terms such as osteitis and osteotomy, which likewise derive from the Greek word for bone.
Related word forms
How periostitis is actually used
This is primarily a medical term used in diagnosis, radiology, and orthopedic care. It should not be used as a general term for any pain involving a bone.
Easily confused with periostitis
Periostitis is inflammation of the membrane covering a bone, whereas osteomyelitis is an infection of bone tissue that can involve the bone marrow.
Periostitis affects the periosteum around a bone, while arthritis primarily involves inflammation of one or more joints.