Common Causes and Treatment of Bone Spurs

Bones spurs are also called osteophytes.  They are enlarged areas along the edges of bones that commonly affect people over 60. While they usually form near the joints and spine, they also occur near soft tissue such as ligaments.

Symptoms include neck, back and joint pain, headaches, numbness, tingling, extremity pain, and urinary difficulty. Sometimes symptoms appear similar to other diseases such as generalized arthritis and rheumatism.

Osteophytes usually happen as part of degeneration of bone and surrounding tissue. They are often related to other conditions such as plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, and spinal stenosis. Injury and poor posture contribute to degenerative disease.

Bone spurs can also be a natural part of the aging process. They are formed in the spinal cord as the discs wear down and ligaments thicken to take up the slack. These ligaments calcify and turn into bone spurs. This isn't always detrimental, and sometimes they even provide protection and stability for these weakening spinal discs.

Bone spurs can break off of the bone and form loose bodies that lodge between the joints. This is the cause for decreased range of motion.

A common misconception is that bone spurs are projections of bone or actual growths on the bone.

In fact, they are smooth osseous structures. They don't cause pain as often believed but rub against nearby structures which can be painful.

Doctors first assess patients for bone spurs in physical exams. The spurs are not always palpable however, and other tests will need to be performed. X-rays are usually ordered first to determine if there is significant degenerative damage to warrant further tests which may include EMGs, CT and MRI scans.

No treatment is required for bone spurs when there is no pain. Rest and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may be used for mild conditions. Some people take vitamins and minerals to support bone health. Physical therapy and massage therapy might help alleviate pain in the joints.

Surgical treatment to remove the bone spurs may be required for people suffering from range of motion problems. This is done usually in conjunction with other surgeries to treat joint problems such as arthroscopy. A laminectomy is often done for removing bone spurs from the spinal cord area.

Lifestyle adjustments such as exercise and proper posture can help decrease the risk of bone spurs by encouraging good range of motion at the joints. Nutrition that supports bone strength should also be considered as a preventative measure.

References:

• John H. Schneider, MD, Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) and Back Pain.
• Bone spurs at MayoClinic.com.