Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are overgrowths of bone. Bone spurs can develop along bone edges, at ligament or tendon attachments, and at the joints. Narrowing of the space around the spur can result in pain due to impingement, friction of surrounding tissue, and changes in the joint’s movement pattern.
Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) is New Jersey’s most comprehensive spine and neurosurgery center, providing treatment for a wide range of conditions, including bone spurs. Here, the CNSO team discusses bone spurs and treatment options.
Bone Spur Symptoms
Many bone spurs do not even produce symptoms and go undetected for years. When pain does present, however, it can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms may include joint achiness or stiffness. When severe, bone spurs can cause debilitating pain, frozen joints, or neurological deficits. The size and location of the bone spur can impact the severity of the symptoms. Common areas of bone spur formation include the shoulder, most commonly at the acromioclavicular joint (where the shoulder meets the collar bone), in the hip and knees, at the heel, and along the spine, which can lead to spinal stenosis.
Common Causes of Bone Spurs
The most common cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease. It is estimated that 1 in 4 adults have arthritis in at least 1 joint, with 88% of people who have OA being over the age of 45.
Bone spurs develop due to wear and tear, or trauma, to the cartilage overlying a joint, commonly due to osteoarthritis. As the cartilage cushioning breaks down at the ends of the bones, the body attempts to repair the loss by creating bone near the damaged area, creating bone spurs. These overgrowths affect joints differently. In the shoulder, people may have loss of motion and damage to impinged tissue, which can lead to rotator cuff tears. Bone spurs in the knee and hip joint also can limit range of motion and make it difficult to walk, get up and down stairs, or get up from a chair. Heel spurs are common and are formed due to stress placed at the insertion of the plantar fascia, a strong, fibrous attachment (like a ligament) that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot and the toes.
In the spine, bone spurs can cause narrowing of the canals where the spinal cord and nerves travel. This narrowing, called spinal stenosis, can cause neck and back pain, as well as neurological symptoms in the arms and legs. Neurological symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and loss of coordination in the arms and legs which could change a person’s gait.
At CNSO, a team of specialists including neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, physician assistants, and physical therapists will perform a complete history and physical exam to identify the nature and location from which pain is emanating. The physical exam can include range of motion and strength testing, palpation to locate the point of pain, and neurological testing to determine the level of nerve impingement and the impact the bone spur is having on function and daily activities. X-ray imaging also can be used to confirm the location and severity of a bone spur in the joint and spine.
Find Outstanding Treatment for Bone Spurs at CNSO
The dedicated surgical and non-surgical team at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine, and Orthopedics understands how back problems and joint pain can impact daily life. By working with recognized board-certified neurosurgeons, non-surgical physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists, patients receive comprehensive and coordinated care, so they can resume a healthy, less painful lifestyle free from disability. CNSO offers multiple convenient locations spanning northern New Jersey from Passaic County to Morris County and nearby towns including Clifton, Jersey City, and Parsippany, NJ. To learn more about effectively treating bone spurs, contact CNSO today.
