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What is a bone spur treatment: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Prevention

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Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Prevention

What Are Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs (also called osteophytes) are smooth, hard bumps of extra bone that form on the ends of bones. They often pop up in the joints — the places where two bones meet.

Bone spurs can form on many parts of your body, including your:

Most bone spurs don’t cause problems. But if they rub against other bones or press on nerves, you might experience pain and stiffness.

Causes of Bone Spurs

The most common cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. The cushioning between your joints and the bones of your spine can wear down with age. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout can also damage your joints.

Bone spurs also often form after an injury to a joint or tendon. When your body thinks your bone is damaged, it tries to fix it by adding bone to the injured area.

Other causes of bone spurs include:

  • Overuse – for example, if you run or dance a lot over a long period of time
  • Genes
  • Diet
  • Obesity
  • Bone problems that you were born with
  • Narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis)

Symptoms of Bone Spurs

You might not realize you have a bone spur until you get an X-ray to look for another condition. They only cause problems when they press on nerves, tendons, or other structures in your body. Then, you might feel any of the following:

  • Pain in the affected joint
  • Pain or stiffness when you try to bend or move the affected joint
  • Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs if the bone spur presses on nerves in your spine
  • Muscle spasms, cramps, or weakness
  • Bumps under your skin, seen mainly in the hands and fingers
  • Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels if the bone spur presses on certain nerves in your spine (a symptom that’s seen very rarely)

Your symptoms might get worse when you exercise or try to move the affected joint.

A bone spur can break off and get stuck in the lining of the joint. This is called a “loose body.” It can lock up the joint and make it hard to move.

Bone Spur Diagnosis

Often, bone spurs are first evaluated by your regular doctor who will likely refer you to a specialist. You’ll probably need to see a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor. Rheumatologists specialize in joint problems. Orthopedic doctors focus on the musculoskeletal system. Your doctor will feel the joint to check for a bump. They may also order an X-ray to help them to see the bone spur better.

Other tests your doctor can use to diagnose bone spurs include:

  • CT scan. It’s a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures inside your body.
  • MRI. This uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make pictures of organs and structures inside your body.
  • Electroconductive tests. These tests measure how fast your nerves send electrical signals. They can show the damage bone spurs have caused to nerves in your spinal canal.

Bone Spur Treatments and Home Care

To relieve pain and bring down swelling, you can try one of these over-the-counter pain relievers:

Continued

These can cause side effects, especially if you take them in large doses or for a long time. If you’ve taken them for more than a month, ask your doctor if you can try a different treatment.

Other therapies for bone spurs include:

  • Rest
  • Steroid shots to bring down swelling and reduce pain in the joints
  • Physical therapy to improve joint strength and increase movement

If these treatments don’t work or the bone spur affects your movement, you might need surgery to remove the extra bone.

Bone Spur Prevention

Bone spurs usually can’t be prevented if they’re the result of the natural wear and tear of arthritis. But you can take these steps to avoid bone spurs caused by other things:

  • Wear shoes with a wide toe box, good arch support, and enough cushion to pad each step. Get your shoes fitted by a professional so they don’t rub against your feet when you walk. Wear thick socks to prevent your shoes from rubbing.
  • Eat a well-rounded diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones.
  • Do regular weight-bearing exercises like walking or stair climbing to keep your bones strong.
  • Try to keep the extra pounds off.

See your doctor if you have any signs of joint trouble, like pain, swelling, or stiffness. If you catch and treat arthritis early, you may be able to prevent the damage that leads to bone spurs.

Bone spurs – Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your doctor might feel around your joint to pinpoint your pain. Your doctor might also order X-rays or other imaging tests to view your joints and bones.

Treatment

If your bone spurs cause pain, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).

Preparing for your appointment

You’ll likely first see your family doctor, who might refer you to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of joint disorders (rheumatologist).

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

  • List your symptoms and how long you’ve had them.
  • Write down key medical information, including other conditions you have, all medications and supplements you take, and family history of bone or joint disease.
  • Note recent injuries that affected a joint.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Here are some questions to ask your doctor. Don’t hesitate to ask others.

  • What’s the most likely cause of my signs and symptoms?
  • Are there other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatment do you recommend, if any?
  • I have other health problems. How can I manage them together?
  • Is surgery an option in my case? Why or why not?
  • What self-care measures can I take to help manage symptoms?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

  • How severe is your pain?
  • Are you having trouble moving the affected joint or joints?
  • Are your symptoms affecting your ability to complete daily tasks?
  • If you’ve tried at-home treatments so far, what, if anything, has helped?
  • What is your typical exercise routine?


Oct. 17, 2019

Show references

  1. Doherty M, et al. Clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 15, 2018.
  2. Firestein GS, et al., eds. Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. In: Kelley and Firestein’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 15, 2018.
  3. What is spinal stenosis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.catalog.niams.nih.gov/detail.cfm?pubid=1851. Accessed Jan. 16, 2018.
  4. Is your back pain caused by OA? Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/back-pain/articles/oa-and-back-pain.php. Accessed Jan. 15, 2018.
  5. Imboden JB, et al. Osteoarthritis. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Rheumatology. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2013. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Jan. 16, 2018.

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Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment



Overview

What is a bone spur?

A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is a smooth, bony lump that grows off a bone. Bone spurs develop over long periods of time, usually near joints (where two or more bones meet).

Who gets bone spurs?

Bone spurs are most common in people 60 years or older, but younger people can get them, too. People with osteoarthritis (OA) are much more likely to get bone spurs. OA is a common form of “wear and tear” arthritis that happens when cartilage, which cushions your bones, wears down.

Where can bone spurs grow?

Although they can grow from any bone, osteophytes are particularly common in the:

  • Foot, especially the heel (heel spurs or calcaneal spurs), big toe and ankle.
  • Hand or finger.
  • Hip.
  • Knee.
  • Neck.
  • Shoulder.
  • Spine.



Symptoms and Causes

What causes bone spurs?

Joint damage from OA is the biggest cause of bone spurs. OA is a breakdown of cartilage — the firm, flexible tissue that cushions bones and allows joints to move more easily. OA develops as we age or after damage (like a sports injury).

As the body tries to repair cartilage, it creates new bone material. These new bony growths are osteophytes.

Ankylosing spondylitis also may cause bone spurs. This rare arthritis causes spinal inflammation. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis fuses, or connects, the small bones in the spine (vertebrae). The body responds by forming spinal osteophytes.

What are symptoms of bone spurs?

Some people have bone spurs and don’t even know it. Spurs start to create symptoms when they:

  • Put pressure on nearby nerves.
  • Restrict movement.
  • Rub against other bones or tissues.

When that happens, you may feel some:

  • Knobby or bumpy areas, especially in the fingers or toes.
  • Numbness and weakness, especially in the legs if the spine has spurs.
  • Pain near the affected joint, like heel pain.
  • Reduced range of motion (how far the joint moves).
  • Stiffness.
  • Tendinitis (swelling of a nearby tendon).
  • Tendon tears (like a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder).



Diagnosis and Tests

How are bone spurs diagnosed?

Without symptoms, you may accidentally discover a bone spur during an X-ray or other test for a different condition.

If you report pain, stiffness and loss of motion to your healthcare provider, he or she will:

  • Ask you to describe your symptoms.
  • Ask about your medical history and family’s medical history.
  • Ask you to rate your discomfort.
  • Perform a physical examination.
  • Test your joint’s range of motion and strength.
  • Order imaging tests, like X-rays to look for arthritis and spurs or CT scans or MRIs to identify damaged ligaments or tendons.



Management and Treatment

When should I talk to my healthcare provider?

If you have bone spurs without symptoms, you don’t need treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop joint pain, stiffness, limited motion or numbness.

How are bone spurs treated?

Some home remedies and lifestyle changes help ease osteophyte symptoms:

  • Ice to reduce swelling.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
  • Rest.
  • Supportive shoes or shoe inserts.
  • Weight loss to decrease joint and bone stress.

If those methods aren’t enough, your healthcare provider can prescribe:

  • Physical therapy: Exercises and stretches can reduce pain, improve range of motion and strengthen muscles around joints.
  • Prescription pain medications: If over-the-counter pain medicines don’t provide relief, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger option or cortisone shot.
  • Surgery: If symptoms continue after a year of treatment, surgery can remove the bone spurs.



Prevention

How can I reduce my risk of bone spurs?

There is no certain way to prevent bone spurs. But you can reduce your chance of developing them by following a healthy lifestyle:

  • Be physically fit.
  • Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce extra stress on bones and joints.
  • Maintain good posture and ergonomics (proper positioning at your desk).
  • Prevent joint injuries by stretching and using safe exercise techniques. Don’t overdo it.
  • Wear well-fitting, supportive shoes.



Outlook / Prognosis

How long do bone spurs last?

Bone spurs don’t go away unless you have surgery to remove them.

Do bone spurs grow back?

Although bone spurs don’t usually grow back after surgery, more may develop elsewhere in your body.



Living With

What can I do for pain and stiffness from bone spurs?

You can relieve pain and stiffness from bone spurs with rest, ice and over-the counter-medications. Properly fitting shoes and weight loss also reduce joint stress. If symptoms become severe or unmanageable, call your healthcare provider.

Should I avoid activity?

Even with bone spurs, try to stay active and healthy. Avoid activities and movements that hurt. Choose low-impact activities, like walking instead of running.

When you exercise, take steps to minimize joint damage: Make sure you have good footwear, concentrate on proper techniques, and always warm up and stretch.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bone spurs may cause no symptoms at all or may drastically affect your day-to-day life. Home remedies and lifestyle choices can help you delay or ease symptoms. If you can’t control your pain or other symptoms on your own, ask your healthcare provider about additional strategies.

Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment



Overview

What is a bone spur?

A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is a smooth, bony lump that grows off a bone. Bone spurs develop over long periods of time, usually near joints (where two or more bones meet).

Who gets bone spurs?

Bone spurs are most common in people 60 years or older, but younger people can get them, too. People with osteoarthritis (OA) are much more likely to get bone spurs. OA is a common form of “wear and tear” arthritis that happens when cartilage, which cushions your bones, wears down.

Where can bone spurs grow?

Although they can grow from any bone, osteophytes are particularly common in the:

  • Foot, especially the heel (heel spurs or calcaneal spurs), big toe and ankle.
  • Hand or finger.
  • Hip.
  • Knee.
  • Neck.
  • Shoulder.
  • Spine.



Symptoms and Causes

What causes bone spurs?

Joint damage from OA is the biggest cause of bone spurs. OA is a breakdown of cartilage — the firm, flexible tissue that cushions bones and allows joints to move more easily. OA develops as we age or after damage (like a sports injury).

As the body tries to repair cartilage, it creates new bone material. These new bony growths are osteophytes.

Ankylosing spondylitis also may cause bone spurs. This rare arthritis causes spinal inflammation. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis fuses, or connects, the small bones in the spine (vertebrae). The body responds by forming spinal osteophytes.

What are symptoms of bone spurs?

Some people have bone spurs and don’t even know it. Spurs start to create symptoms when they:

  • Put pressure on nearby nerves.
  • Restrict movement.
  • Rub against other bones or tissues.

When that happens, you may feel some:

  • Knobby or bumpy areas, especially in the fingers or toes.
  • Numbness and weakness, especially in the legs if the spine has spurs.
  • Pain near the affected joint, like heel pain.
  • Reduced range of motion (how far the joint moves).
  • Stiffness.
  • Tendinitis (swelling of a nearby tendon).
  • Tendon tears (like a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder).



Diagnosis and Tests

How are bone spurs diagnosed?

Without symptoms, you may accidentally discover a bone spur during an X-ray or other test for a different condition.

If you report pain, stiffness and loss of motion to your healthcare provider, he or she will:

  • Ask you to describe your symptoms.
  • Ask about your medical history and family’s medical history.
  • Ask you to rate your discomfort.
  • Perform a physical examination.
  • Test your joint’s range of motion and strength.
  • Order imaging tests, like X-rays to look for arthritis and spurs or CT scans or MRIs to identify damaged ligaments or tendons.



Management and Treatment

When should I talk to my healthcare provider?

If you have bone spurs without symptoms, you don’t need treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop joint pain, stiffness, limited motion or numbness.

How are bone spurs treated?

Some home remedies and lifestyle changes help ease osteophyte symptoms:

  • Ice to reduce swelling.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
  • Rest.
  • Supportive shoes or shoe inserts.
  • Weight loss to decrease joint and bone stress.

If those methods aren’t enough, your healthcare provider can prescribe:

  • Physical therapy: Exercises and stretches can reduce pain, improve range of motion and strengthen muscles around joints.
  • Prescription pain medications: If over-the-counter pain medicines don’t provide relief, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger option or cortisone shot.
  • Surgery: If symptoms continue after a year of treatment, surgery can remove the bone spurs.



Prevention

How can I reduce my risk of bone spurs?

There is no certain way to prevent bone spurs. But you can reduce your chance of developing them by following a healthy lifestyle:

  • Be physically fit.
  • Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce extra stress on bones and joints.
  • Maintain good posture and ergonomics (proper positioning at your desk).
  • Prevent joint injuries by stretching and using safe exercise techniques. Don’t overdo it.
  • Wear well-fitting, supportive shoes.



Outlook / Prognosis

How long do bone spurs last?

Bone spurs don’t go away unless you have surgery to remove them.

Do bone spurs grow back?

Although bone spurs don’t usually grow back after surgery, more may develop elsewhere in your body.



Living With

What can I do for pain and stiffness from bone spurs?

You can relieve pain and stiffness from bone spurs with rest, ice and over-the counter-medications. Properly fitting shoes and weight loss also reduce joint stress. If symptoms become severe or unmanageable, call your healthcare provider.

Should I avoid activity?

Even with bone spurs, try to stay active and healthy. Avoid activities and movements that hurt. Choose low-impact activities, like walking instead of running.

When you exercise, take steps to minimize joint damage: Make sure you have good footwear, concentrate on proper techniques, and always warm up and stretch.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bone spurs may cause no symptoms at all or may drastically affect your day-to-day life. Home remedies and lifestyle choices can help you delay or ease symptoms. If you can’t control your pain or other symptoms on your own, ask your healthcare provider about additional strategies.

Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment



Overview

What is a bone spur?

A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is a smooth, bony lump that grows off a bone. Bone spurs develop over long periods of time, usually near joints (where two or more bones meet).

Who gets bone spurs?

Bone spurs are most common in people 60 years or older, but younger people can get them, too. People with osteoarthritis (OA) are much more likely to get bone spurs. OA is a common form of “wear and tear” arthritis that happens when cartilage, which cushions your bones, wears down.

Where can bone spurs grow?

Although they can grow from any bone, osteophytes are particularly common in the:

  • Foot, especially the heel (heel spurs or calcaneal spurs), big toe and ankle.
  • Hand or finger.
  • Hip.
  • Knee.
  • Neck.
  • Shoulder.
  • Spine.



Symptoms and Causes

What causes bone spurs?

Joint damage from OA is the biggest cause of bone spurs. OA is a breakdown of cartilage — the firm, flexible tissue that cushions bones and allows joints to move more easily. OA develops as we age or after damage (like a sports injury).

As the body tries to repair cartilage, it creates new bone material. These new bony growths are osteophytes.

Ankylosing spondylitis also may cause bone spurs. This rare arthritis causes spinal inflammation. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis fuses, or connects, the small bones in the spine (vertebrae). The body responds by forming spinal osteophytes.

What are symptoms of bone spurs?

Some people have bone spurs and don’t even know it. Spurs start to create symptoms when they:

  • Put pressure on nearby nerves.
  • Restrict movement.
  • Rub against other bones or tissues.

When that happens, you may feel some:

  • Knobby or bumpy areas, especially in the fingers or toes.
  • Numbness and weakness, especially in the legs if the spine has spurs.
  • Pain near the affected joint, like heel pain.
  • Reduced range of motion (how far the joint moves).
  • Stiffness.
  • Tendinitis (swelling of a nearby tendon).
  • Tendon tears (like a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder).



Diagnosis and Tests

How are bone spurs diagnosed?

Without symptoms, you may accidentally discover a bone spur during an X-ray or other test for a different condition.

If you report pain, stiffness and loss of motion to your healthcare provider, he or she will:

  • Ask you to describe your symptoms.
  • Ask about your medical history and family’s medical history.
  • Ask you to rate your discomfort.
  • Perform a physical examination.
  • Test your joint’s range of motion and strength.
  • Order imaging tests, like X-rays to look for arthritis and spurs or CT scans or MRIs to identify damaged ligaments or tendons.



Management and Treatment

When should I talk to my healthcare provider?

If you have bone spurs without symptoms, you don’t need treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop joint pain, stiffness, limited motion or numbness.

How are bone spurs treated?

Some home remedies and lifestyle changes help ease osteophyte symptoms:

  • Ice to reduce swelling.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
  • Rest.
  • Supportive shoes or shoe inserts.
  • Weight loss to decrease joint and bone stress.

If those methods aren’t enough, your healthcare provider can prescribe:

  • Physical therapy: Exercises and stretches can reduce pain, improve range of motion and strengthen muscles around joints.
  • Prescription pain medications: If over-the-counter pain medicines don’t provide relief, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger option or cortisone shot.
  • Surgery: If symptoms continue after a year of treatment, surgery can remove the bone spurs.



Prevention

How can I reduce my risk of bone spurs?

There is no certain way to prevent bone spurs. But you can reduce your chance of developing them by following a healthy lifestyle:

  • Be physically fit.
  • Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce extra stress on bones and joints.
  • Maintain good posture and ergonomics (proper positioning at your desk).
  • Prevent joint injuries by stretching and using safe exercise techniques. Don’t overdo it.
  • Wear well-fitting, supportive shoes.



Outlook / Prognosis

How long do bone spurs last?

Bone spurs don’t go away unless you have surgery to remove them.

Do bone spurs grow back?

Although bone spurs don’t usually grow back after surgery, more may develop elsewhere in your body.



Living With

What can I do for pain and stiffness from bone spurs?

You can relieve pain and stiffness from bone spurs with rest, ice and over-the counter-medications. Properly fitting shoes and weight loss also reduce joint stress. If symptoms become severe or unmanageable, call your healthcare provider.

Should I avoid activity?

Even with bone spurs, try to stay active and healthy. Avoid activities and movements that hurt. Choose low-impact activities, like walking instead of running.

When you exercise, take steps to minimize joint damage: Make sure you have good footwear, concentrate on proper techniques, and always warm up and stretch.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bone spurs may cause no symptoms at all or may drastically affect your day-to-day life. Home remedies and lifestyle choices can help you delay or ease symptoms. If you can’t control your pain or other symptoms on your own, ask your healthcare provider about additional strategies.

Bone Spur (Osteophyte) Symptoms and Treatment

What Are Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are bony growths that form in your joints or in the spine. They cause damage to your bones, muscles, or tendons, often as a result of osteoarthritis. These smooth growths may not cause any symptoms and some might not need treatment.

People often learn they have a bone spur after having an x-ray for some other health matter.

Types of bone spurs

Bone spurs can affect your:

  • Knee (making it hard to straighten your leg).
  • Spine (pressing against your spinal cord and causing weakness or loss of feeling in your arms and legs).
  • Hip (making it hard to move your hip).
  • Shoulder (causing damage to your rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that enable your shoulder to move).
  • Fingers.
  • Heel or foot.

What causes bone spurs?

Degenerative conditions — such as osteoarthritis or tendonitis — can cause bone spurs.

Damage to a joint from osteoarthritis is the most common cause.

Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones.

In response, your body attempts to repair the damage by creating a new bone in the damaged area. The swelling stimulates cells that form bone, which eventually grows into a bone spur.

For example, when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, a bone spur can form on the back of the heel (calcaneus bone).

Activities, such as running or dancing, can also lead to the growth of bone spurs.

Bone spurs are more likely to form with age. Rarely, a health problem present at birth — called a congenital condition — will cause bone spurs.

Make an appointment for bone spur care

Request an appointment with a UPMC orthopaedic surgeon:

Learn more about bone spurs

From our Health Library:

Treatment Options for Bone Spurs

If spinal bone spurs are determined to be the likely cause of back pain and other symptoms, there are a wide range of possible treatment options.

Nonsurgical Treatment for Bone Spurs

Most patients with mild or moderate nerve compression and irritation from bone spurs can manage their symptoms effectively without surgery. The goal of nonsurgical treatment is to stop the cycle of inflammation and pain.

Nonsurgical treatments include:

Medications

Medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants may be recommended. Because of the risk of side effects, long-term use of medications should be approached with caution.

See Osteoarthritis Medications

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Short periods of rest

Activity may flare up inflammation in the joints. Short periods of rest can give inflammation time to recede.

Physical therapy and exercise

Physical therapy, exercise, and manipulation (performed by chiropractors [DC], osteopaths [DO], and physical therapists [PT]), may alleviate back pain associated with bone spurs. These rehabilitation therapies attempt to restore flexibility and strength to the spine, improve posture and decrease nerve root compression.

See Exercise for Osteoarthritis

Spinal manipulation

If the pain and inflammation caused by bone spurs is related to abnormal alignment and movement patterns in the spine, a spinal adjustment may help relieve symptoms. Chiropractors, osteopaths and physical therapists use their hands or small instruments to apply pressure over the skin of vertebrae and manipulate the spine. The goal is to increase range of motion, reduce nerve irritability, and improve function. Spinal manipulation is not appropriate for everyone. A careful medical history, physical examination, and discussion of the risks and benefits of manipulation should occur prior to this type of treatment.

See Understanding Spinal Manipulation

Weight loss

Losing excess weight can take pressure off the spine, reducing friction between the vertebrae’s facet joints and decreasing the likelihood of pain. Achieving an appropriate weight is especially effective in taking pressure off the lower back.

See Weight Loss for Back Pain Relief

In This Article:

Injections

Fluoroscopically guided, contrast enhanced spinal injection procedures that target the presumptive source of spinal pain can help decease pain and inflammation. In addition, depending on whether local anesthetic is used as part of the injection into the spine, the procedure can help an astute clinician identify or narrow down the source of a patient’s pain.

See Facet Joint Injection Procedure

A spinal injection may not completely relieve a patient’s pain, but may provide enough relief to allow progression of rehabilitation. Patients should avoid receiving more than 3 injections into any one joint over a short period of time. In addition, if the first injection provides no relief, there is no evidence that further injections into the same structure will provide a better result.

See Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Facet Joint Injections

If these nonsurgical treatments fail to treat pain due to bone spurs, a patient may be referred to a spinal surgeon.

Read more about Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatments

Spine Surgery for Bone Spurs

Spine surgery may be recommended if nerve or spinal cord compression is causing unremitting pain and/or loss of motor/sensory function. Surgery for bone spurs involves removing tissue to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves roots. For example:

Bone spur removal

During this surgery special tools are used to remove bone spurs from the vertebra(e).

Since it is possible for the bone spurs to grow back, and because there may be more than just bone spurs contributing to symptoms, a surgeon may suggest another surgical procedure, such as a laminectomy or foraminotomy.

Laminectomy

A laminectomy is designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by central spinal stenosis. During surgery, a portion of the affected vertebra, called the lamina and spinous process at the back of the spine, is removed. With this small piece of the spinal canal wall removed, there is more room for the spinal cord.

Watch Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery Video

Foraminotomy

A foraminotomy is designed to relieve pressure on a nerve root. Every nerve root passes through an intervertebral foramen, a bony, hollow archway between 2 adjacent vertebrae. During a foraminotomy, bone tissue around the foramen is cut away or shaved down, enlarging the foramen space. This procedure creates more space for the nerve root, relieving nerve root compression.

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Whether or not a surgery will reduce or eliminate back or neck pain and other symptoms depends on the extent of the spinal degeneration; the patient’s overall health; and the patient’s commitment to rehabilitation; and other factors. The surgeon’s expertise and experience also play a role.

See Outpatient Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy/Discectomy

Patients considering surgery are advised to have maximized nonsurgical care options first and then, if surgery is considered, to have a detailed discussion with a spinal surgeon about risks and benefits.

Read more about Surgery for Osteoarthritis

90,000 Heel spur. Heel spur treatment