What Are the Treatments for Vertebral Bone Spurs?

Your spinal cord is a critical component of the central nervous system. This thick bundle of neurons is surrounded by many vertebrae. Sometimes, these bones grow more tissue than necessary. These growths are called bone spurs.

Vertebrae

• Your spine is composed of 24 bones called vertebrae which surround and protect the spinal cord. The smallest seven, located in your neck, are cervical vertebrae. The next 12 are thoracic vertebrae, and the five near your tailbone are called lumbar vertebrae.

Bone Spur Causes

• A vertebral bone spur is characterized by a small growth of extra bone mass along the edge of the vertebrae. These may form with age, but some are caused by other conditions, such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, bone spurs often don't cause any problems, but some can interfere with the motion range of the spine. Vertebral bone spurs can also press on spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself and cause numbness and pain in other areas of the body.

Complications

• Over time, a vertebral bone spur may break off from the bone and become lodged in the joints of the spine. When this happens, the joint will be more difficult to move; for instance, you may experience times when you can't bend over properly.

Treatment

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve any pain associated with bone spurs, but if a spur is causing more extensive problems, you may need surgery to have spurs removed from your vertebrae.