Definition of Bone Spurs

Bone spur is a medical condition distinguished by the development of extra bone on bone. Medically, bone spurs are termed as osteophytes. People who have arthritic conditions are often more apt to get bone spurs, which can also occur due to the natural process of getting older. Bone spurs can also occur due to an injury or medical condition. Often bone spurs affect the joints and can hinder movement and cause severe discomfort.

Bone Spurs Defined

• Bone spurs are bony protuberances that are formed along the outside of bones. Bone spurs can form anywhere in the body, and typically arise where two bones connect. Bone spurs can also occur where ligaments and tendons meet bone. Bone spurs by themselves are not painful. However, when the bone spurs touch adjacent nerves and bones, discomfort is often felt.

Causes

• Bone spurs can arise due to inflammation or rubbing of a bone over time. Usually there is a layer of cartilage that covers bones where they come to form a joint. When the cartilage erodes, the bones then have nothing to protect them from rubbing against each other. This inflammation causes the cells that create bone to grow more bone around the area, creating a bone spur.

Symptoms

• Often times people will not realize they have bone spurs until another condition reveals it. Where in your body bone spurs occur will determine if there is any discomfort or other symptoms. Bone spurs can grow in any bone in the human body. The most common places to get bone spurs are the heel, spine, knee and neck. If bone spurs are present in the foot, they can result in discomfort in the foot, which could also be sensitive and puffy. Walking will be hardest early in the day. That is due to the fact that during long periods of idleness, when one is asleep, the nerves have a chance to rest while there is no pressure being put on the foot. However, when one arises and puts pressure on the heel for the first time of the day, the spur is forced into tender tissues and nerves. If a spur grows in the back, a spur can squeeze nerves to create discomfort around the area being affected. For a bone spur in the knee, symptoms include the difficulty to flex or move one's leg. Signs of a bone spur in the neck include tightness and discomfort in the back and neck. Often, a bone spur in the neck makes it hard to swallow or uncomfortable to breathe because a spur can limit the flow of blood to the brain.

Diagnosis

• A diagnosis of a bone spur often starts with a visit to a physician, who will do a physical examination and ask about medical history and problems about the affected area. The doctor will examine the joints in question and do a series of tests to gauge the range of movement, and determine how much discomfort is felt with movement. The doctor will also examine the muscles around the affected area. Depending on the examination, the doctor could order a more elaborate way of checking for bone spurs. This would include radiology tests such as an X-ray, MRI, ultrasound image, or CT scan.

Treatment

• If bone spurs are not hurting you or preventing specific movement, no treatment is necessary. However, if bone spurs are causing discomfort, there are a variety of treatments available. Treatment often depends on where the bone spurs are located. Treatment can include physical therapy, stretching, deep tissue massage, dropping weight, anti-inflammatory medicine, relaxation, and heat/ice therapy. Other treatments include steroids and water activities such as swimming or water aerobics to increase strength and flexibility. When no other treatments work and the pain is so severe that it hinders daily living, surgery may be needed. Bone spurs may then be removed surgically.