Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are small, bony growths that can develop on the edges of your bones. While they might sound a bit scary, bone spurs aren't actually sharp like their name suggests. They're smooth, extra bits of bone that form on the edges of normal bones that your body produces over time. Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are bony growths that develop along the edges of bones, often appearing where bones meet each other, in joints, or in areas where bones connect to tendons or ligaments. They commonly result from long-term wear and tear, inflammation, or degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. They're most common in areas of the body that experience wear and tear, like the spine, knees, hips, hands, and shoulders, but can also form in other parts of the body where bone is meeting with tendons, ligaments, or other tissues. While bone spurs themselves may not cause symptoms, they can irritate nearby tissues, compress nerves, or interfere with joint movement, leading to discomfort and other issues.
Bone spurs in a joint usually develop as a result of ongoing stress or inflammation in a joint.
Common causes include:
Not all bone spurs cause symptoms. In fact, many people have them without even realizing it. However, when they do cause issues, your symptoms can include:
Pain is often the first sign of a bone spur. Especially if the bone spur is pressing on your nearby nerves or tissues. You might also notice stiffness and limited movement in your affected joint. Swelling or tenderness can also occur in the area surrounding your bone spur, and numbness or tingling can occur when a bone spur presses on a nerve.
If you've been battling undiagnosed pain or you suspect you have a bone spur, especially in a critical area like your shoulder, it's important to seek medical advice sooner rather than later.
Below is a breakdown of common locations where bone spurs form, the symptoms they can cause, factors that contribute to their formation, and some common treatment options:
Symptoms: Bone spurs in the spine may cause back or neck pain, stiffness, numbness, or tingling if they press on spinal nerves. Severe cases may lead to weakness or difficulty with coordination.
Causes: Age-related wear and tear, osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, and conditions like spinal stenosis.
Treatment: Non-surgical approaches include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections. Severe cases may require bone spur surgery to remove them or decompress nerves.
Symptoms: Pain during movement, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the knee joint. In severe cases, locking or grinding sensations can occur.
Causes: Osteoarthritis is a major factor, along with repetitive stress, injury, or obesity, which increases joint strain.
Treatment: Weight management, physical therapy, braces, and anti-inflammatory medications. In advanced cases, surgery like joint replacement or arthroscopy may be needed.
Symptoms: Pain in the groin, thigh, or buttocks, stiffness, and difficulty walking or performing daily activities.
Causes: Osteoarthritis, repetitive motion (as in sports), or past injuries.
Treatment: Rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections. Hip replacement surgery may be an option for severe cases.
Symptoms: Pain when lifting the arm, stiffness, weakness, or a grinding sensation caused by the spur pressing on the rotator cuff or surrounding tissues.
Causes: Rotator cuff injuries, repetitive overhead movements, and arthritis.
Treatment: Rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and in some cases, arthroscopic surgery to remove the spur.
Symptoms: Stiffness, pain, swelling, and visible nodules (e.g., Heberden’s nodes on the finger joints). Spurs can lead to deformity over time.
Causes: Osteoarthritis and joint overuse.
Treatment: Splints, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgical removal of the spurs for severe cases.
Symptoms: Pain in the heel or foot, especially during walking or standing. Heel spurs can cause localized tenderness or aggravate plantar fasciitis.
Causes: Repetitive stress from activities like running, poorly fitting shoes, obesity, or flat feet.
Treatment: Rest, ice, orthotic devices, proper footwear, physical therapy, and in extreme cases, surgical intervention.
Treatment: Rest, ice, orthotic devices, proper footwear, physical therapy, and in extreme cases, surgical intervention.
Causes: Osteoarthritis in the TMJ, misaligned jaw, or excessive grinding/clenching of teeth.
Symptoms: Jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth, headaches, and difficulty chewing or fully opening the mouth.
Treatment: Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, a mouth guard to reduce grinding, or surgery in severe cases.
Bone spur treatment options depend significantly on the individual, the location and severity of your bone spur, and how much it bothers you. Generally speaking, these are common approaches:
Bone spurs are a natural response to joint stress and degeneration, but with proper management, many people can find relief and maintain their mobility. If you suspect bone spurs, consult a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment.
You should see an orthopaedic doctor if:
If you think you have a bone spur, you might start with your primary care doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the next steps. However, for more specialized care, you should schedule to be seen by an orthopedic specialist; these doctors focus on bones, joints, and muscles and are well-versed with bone spurs.
You don't have to stay in pain. Contact one of our ONJ divisions to schedule an appointment.
While you can't always prevent bone spurs, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
While bone spurs themselves aren't directly inherited, certain conditions that increase the risk of bone spurs, like osteoarthritis, can have a genetic component. If your family has a history of arthritis or joint issues, you might be more likely to develop bone spurs.
No, bone spurs are not limited to joints. While they are commonly associated with joint areas due to arthritis or wear and tear, they can also form in other parts of the body where bone meets tendons, ligaments, or other tissues.
Bone spurs can form on the vertebrae of the spine, particularly along the edges of the bones or in the spaces between vertebrae These spurs may compress spinal nerves, causing conditions like spinal stenosis or radiculopathy.
Bone spurs often develop on the bottom or back of the heel, near where the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon attaches. These are not within a joint but result from repetitive stress, plantar fasciitis, or tight tendons.
Bone spurs can develop where ribs connect to the spine (costovertebral joints) or where they attach to the sternum. Rarely, they can appear along the ribs themselves, irritating nearby tissues.
Bone spurs may form along the edges of the scapula, particularly near tendon attachments, such as the rotator cuff tendons.
Spurs can develop along the edges of the temporomandibular joint, but they may also form on the jawbone or in areas of stress unrelated to the joint itself.
Bone spurs can form at tendon attachment points in areas like the palm or sole, often in response to repetitive stress or strain.
Bone spurs develop when bone tissue reacts to stress or inflammation, which signals the body to create additional bone as a protective mechanism.
While joints are the most common site for bone spurs, they can occur in many areas of the body where bones experience stress or inflammation. Always seek a proper medical evaluation; it is key to diagnosing and managing symptoms effectively.
Bone spurs are a common part of aging, but they can sometimes cause discomfort or limit movement, especially in areas like the shoulder. Don't hesitate to see a doctor if you're dealing with pain, stiffness, or other symptoms. With proper care, including treatment options like physical therapy, medications, or even shoulder bone spur surgery when necessary, you can get back to moving comfortably and living your best life.
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