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 Bone Spur
Overview | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | FAQ
Overview
A
bone spur, or osteophyte, is a projection of bone that develops and
grows along the edge of a joint. Bone spurs are fairly common in people
over the age of 60. It is not the bone spur itself that is the real
problem; pain and inflammation begin to occur when the bone spur
rubs against nerves and bones.
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Causes
As
we age, the discs in our spine degenerate and lose some
of their natural shock-absorbing ability. Factors that contribute
to and accelerate this process include stress, injury, poor posture,
poor nutrition, and family history.
It
is not uncommon for people with osteoarthritis to get bone spurs.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which joint cartilage
begins to wear down, causing bone to rub against bone. As a result,
the body may begin to produce new bone to protect against this,
which is how a bone spur forms.
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Symptoms
- Back
and neck pain
- Pain
radiating through an arm and/or leg
- Prominent
lumps on the hands, feet or spine
- Numbness
- Burning
- Muscle
cramps
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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.
- Medical
history: Conducting a detailed medical history helps the doctor
better understand the possible causes of your back and neck
pain, which can help outline the most appropriate treatment.
- Physical
exam: During the physical exam, your physician will try to
pinpoint the source of pain. Simple tests for flexibility and
muscle strength may also be
 conducted.
- X-rays
are usually the first step in diagnostic testing methods. X-rays
show bones and the space between bones. They are of limited
value, however, since they do not show muscles and ligaments.
- MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging) uses a magnetic field and radio
waves to generate highly detailed pictures of the inside of
your body. Since X-rays only show bones, MRIs are needed to
visualize soft tissues like discs in the spine. This type of
imaging is very safe and usually pain-free.
- CT
scan/myelogram: A CT scan is similar to an MRI in that it provides
diagnostic information about the internal structures of the
spine. A myelogram is used 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
lie.
- Electrodiagnostics:
Electrical testing of the nerves and spinal cord may be performed
as part of a diagnostic workup. These tests, called electromyography
(EMG) or somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), assist your
doctor in understanding how your nerves or spinal cord are
affected by your condition.
- Bone
scan: Bone imaging is used to detect infection, malignancy,
fractures and arthritis in any part of the skeleton. Bone scans
are also used for finding lesions for biopsy or excision.
- Discography - Discography is used to determine the internal
structure of your disc. It is performed with a local anesthetic by injecting
dye into the disc under X-ray guidance. An X-ray or CT scan is performed
to determine if the disc’s structure is normal or abnormal and
if the injection causes pain. A benefit of a discogram is that it enables
the spine surgeon to determine the disc level that is causing pain.
And if surgery is necessary, discography helps ensure a successful surgery and reduces the risk
of operating on the wrong disc.
- Injections - These can act as a
bridge to physical therapy by relieving back pain and providing the
physician with important information about your problem.
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Treatment
The
goal when treating bone spurs is to minimize pain and prevent any
additional joint damage. Treatment methods may include weight loss,
stretching and physical therapy, rest and ice. Injections can reduce
inflammation long enough to relieve symptoms. Medications such as
ibuprofen or injections may be administered for pain. Bone spurs
can be surgically removed in the case of serious damage and / or deformity.
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FAQs
How
can osteoporosis impact the spine and cause a bone spur?
Osteoporosis
can have extremely serious consequences for the spine. It is a degenerative
condition in which joint cartilage can begin to wear down, causing
bone to rub against bone. As a result, 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?
Bone
spurs can generally be detected through X-ray, which can provide
a visual of any bony deposits.
Do
I need surgery to treat a bone spur?
Because
bone spurs are usually evidence of an underlying problem, this main
problem should be addressed first. This can include treatment methods
for degenerative disc disease, arthritis and osteoporosis. These
conditions can often be successfully treated with nonsurgical methods.
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