Bone or cartilage mass physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]

Physical examination findings of bone or cartilage masses will depend on the location of the tumor. Common physical examination findings include skeletal deformity, swelling, increased skin temperature, increased sweating, and tenderness.^[1]

The following physical examination findings may be present among patients with bone and cartilage tumors:

• Patients are usually well-appearing

• High or low-grade fever

• Present in bone infections

• The assessment of bone or cartilage masses during skin physical examination, should include:

• Examine chest and abdomen for skin pigmentation or “cafe-au-lait” spots: related with McCune–Albright syndrome

• The assessment of bone or cartilage masses during HEENT physical examination, should include:

• Examination of head: marcocephaly (related with McCune–Albright syndrome)

• The assessment of bone or cartilage masses during extremities physical examination, should include:

• Location
• Edema
• Increased sweating
• Increased skin temperature

• Physical examination findings, may include:

• A palpable tenderness may be appreciated on physical examination
• Tenderness to palpation
• Soft tissue swelling
• Decreased range of motion
• Muscle atrophy
• Joint effusion

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