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Home >> Spine Problems >> Bone Spur

Bone Spur

A bone spur is an excess growth of bone around a vertebral body. Bone spurs are often a normal part of aging. Stress or injury may also lead to bone spurs. This growth can cause vertebrae to impinge on nerve roots, resulting in neck and back pain and weakness.

Overview

A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a projection of bone that develops and grows along the edge of joints. Bone spurs are somewhat frequent in people over the age of 60. A bone spur on its own is not the real problem; once the bone spur rubs against nerves and bones, pain and inflammation occur.

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Causes

As part of the aging process, the discs in our spine deteriorate and lose some of their natural shock-absorbing ability. Stress, injury, poor posture, poor nutrition, and family history are other factors that accelerate and contribute to this process.

Individuals with osteoarthritis are likely to suffer from bone spurs. As joint cartilage begins to wear down this causes bone to rub against bone and is known as osteoarthritis. The body naturally may begin to produce new bone to protect itself, which is how a bone spur forms.

Symptoms

• Back and neck pain
• Pain radiating through an arm and/or leg
• Visible lumps on the hands, feet or spine
• Numbness
• Burning
• Muscle cramps

Diagnosis

Outlined below are some of the diagnostic tools that your physician may use to gain insight into your condition and determine the best treatment plan for your condition.

Medical history:

Performing a detailed medical history allows the doctor improved understanding of the possible causes of your back and neck pain. Moreover, this knowledge may help outline the most appropriate treatment.

Physical exam:

The physical exam is helpful in allowing your physician to isolate the source of pain. Simple tests for flexibility and muscle strength may also be conducted.
X-rays are usually the initial step in diagnostic testing methods. While x-rays show bones and the space between bones, they are of limited value because they do not show muscles and ligaments.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging):

Involves magnetic field and radio waves to produce highly detailed pictures of the inside of your body. As x-rays only show bones, MRIs are necessary to envision soft tissues like discs in the spine. This type of imaging is very safe and usually pain-free.

CT scan/myelogram:

Comparable to an MRI, a CT scan provides diagnostic information about the internal structures of the spine. A myelogram is engaged to diagnose a bulging disc, tumor, or changes in the bones surrounding the spinal cord or nerves. A local anesthetic is injected into the low back to numb the area. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is then performed. A dye is injected into the spinal canal to reveal where problems exist.

Electrodiagnostics:

As part of a diagnostic workup, electrical testing of the nerves and spinal cord may be performed. These tests, called electromyography (EMG) or somato sensory evoked potentials (SSEP), help your doctor understand how your nerves or spinal cord are affected by your condition.

Bone scan:

In an effort to detect infection, malignancy, fractures and arthritis in any part of the skeleton, bone imaging is used. Bone scans are also helpful in locating lesions for biopsy or excision.

Discography:

Used to determine the internal structure of a disc. It is performed via local anesthetic and by injecting a dye into the disc under X-ray guidance. Both X-ray and CT scan are performed to establish whether disc composition is normal or abnormal. Additionally, your doctor will note any pain associated with this injection. The benefit of a discography is that it enables the physician to verify the disc level that is causing your pain. This exam helps reduces the risk of operating on the wrong disc as well as ensures surgery will be more successful.

Injections:

Pain-relieving injections help relieve back pain and give the physician important information about your problem, as well as provide a bridge therapy.

Treatment

Pain reduction and prevention of further joint damage remain common goals in treating bone spurs. Weight loss, stretching and physical therapy, rest and ice are just a few of the treatment methods. Medications such as ibuprofen or injections may be administered for pain. Injections may reduce inflammation long enough to relieve symptoms. In serious cases of damage and deformity, bone spurs can be surgically removed.

FAQ

How can osteoarthritis impact the spine and cause a bone spur?

Osteoarthritis can have extremely serious consequences on the spine. It is a degenerative condition in which joint cartilage can begin to wear down, causing bone to rub against bone. Because of this, the body may begin to produce new bone to protect against this, which is how a bone spur forms.

How can I tell if I have a bone spur?

Usually, bone spurs are detected through X-ray, which provides a visual of any bony deposits.

Does a bone spur require surgery?

Bone spurs are typically evidence of an underlying problem and this condition should be addressed first. Treatment methods for degenerative disc disease, arthritis and osteoarthritis may be enlisted and are often nonsurgical.