When you visit your doctor because of bone pain, he will ask you about your symptoms and examine the affected area. Your GP may refer you for an X-ray to check for anything abnormal. If abnormalities are found, you will be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon (a bone specialist). They may recommend that you have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to examine the area in closer detail. A bone biopsy may be carried out to confirm whether cancer is present. A fine needle is used to remove a sample of bone marrow from the affected area so it can be examined under a microscope. It can either be carried out using a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic.
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