Understanding Bone Spurs

A sharp pain in your foot with your first steps in the morning, or a nagging ache in your shoulder that won't settle, can both come from a bone spur. These small, bony growths develop in many parts of the body, and they can cause discomfort and limit how freely you move. 

The short answer: a bone spur (osteophyte) is an extra piece of bone that grows along the edge of a bone, usually where two bones meet in a joint. Many bone spurs cause no symptoms at all and are found by chance on an X-ray taken for something else. They become a problem when they press on a nerve, rub against nearby tissue, or get in the way of a joint moving through its full range.

What is a Bone Spur?

A bone spur, also known as osteophyte, is a bony projection that forms along the edges of bones. These growths typically develop where bones meet each other in the joints. While bone spurs are not necessarily painful, they can cause problems when they rub against nearby nerves or tissues.

What does "spurring" mean on an X-ray report?

Spurring is simply the word used on imaging reports to describe bone spurs forming along the edge of a joint. A report might read "mild degenerative spurring" or "osteophyte formation", which is a description of what the picture shows rather than a diagnosis on its own. Osteophyte, bone spur and spurring all point to the same thing: one term is clinical, one is plain, one is descriptive.

Whether spurring explains your pain depends on where it sits and what you're feeling day to day. Go over the report and your symptoms with your doctor, or contact us at POA and we'll look at it with you.

What Causes Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs often develop in response to pressure, rubbing, or stress on a bone over time. 

Common causes include:

Understanding these common causes can help individuals take preventive measures and seek appropriate treatment if they experience symptoms of bone spurs.

Why you can trust us:

• We have multiple specialists who treat these conditions every day.
• Our orthopaedic doctors are specialized, which means you can see a doctor who works solely with the part of the body you are having issues with.
• We have a whole-body health approach when it comes to orthopaedic health, and along with orthopaedic specialists, we have a team of physiatrists and physical therapists here to help you get back to the things you love.

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Areas of the Body Affected by Bone Spurs

A bone spur can form in various parts of the body, including:

Foot:

A bone spur in the foot, especially the heel (heel spurs), can cause sharp pain, particularly during activities like walking or standing.

• Symptoms: Heel pain, tenderness, difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot.

Shoulder: 

A shoulder bone spur can form on the acromion (the bony process on the shoulder blade) or on the joint surfaces where the collarbone and shoulder blade meet. These spurs can result from overuse, injury, or age-related wear and tear.

• Symptoms: Shoulder pain, stiffness, weakness, difficulty raising the arm.

Elbows:

Bone spurs in the elbows can develop in conditions like tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis), where the tendons attaching to the elbow become inflamed and may develop spurs over time.

• Symptoms: Elbow pain, tenderness, difficulty bending or straightening the arm.

Hands: 

Bone spurs can form in the joints of the fingers or thumbs, often due to osteoarthritis or repetitive use of the hands.

• Symptoms:
  • Joint pain, 
  • swelling, 
  • stiffness, 
  • bony nodules.

Knees:

Bone spurs in the knees can form around the joint due to osteoarthritis or other conditions that cause wear and tear on the joint cartilage.

• Symptoms: Knee pain, swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion.

Spine:

Bone spurs in the spine, also called osteophytes, can occur along the edges of vertebrae. They can develop due to degenerative conditions where the cartilage between vertebrae breaks down, like osteoarthritis, causing bone-on-bone contact.

• Symptoms: Back pain, stiffness, radiating pain or numbness.

Hips: 

Hip bone spurs can develop in the hip joint, particularly in individuals with hip osteoarthritis or a condition known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), where abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint occurs.

• Symptoms:
  • Hip pain, 
  • stiffness, 
  • reduced range of motion.

What Does a Bone Spur Feel Like?

While your symptoms can vary depending on the location of the bone spur, common signs include the following:

• Pain or tenderness in the affected area
• Swelling or inflammation
• Reduced range of motion
• Numbness or tingling sensation

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Diagnosing a Bone Spur

If you think you have a bone spur, it's worth having it looked at. Your doctor, usually an orthopaedic surgeon, will examine the area, ask questions about your symptoms, and may order imaging such as an X-ray or MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Bone Spur Treatment Options

Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for bone spurs, ranging from conservative measures to surgical intervention:

• Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers may be recommended to help alleviate discomfort. OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises are often recommended because they can improve flexibility and reduce symptoms.
• Orthotics: With a foot bone spur, orthotics may be recommended. These custom shoe inserts help provide support and relieve pressure on the affected area.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce the inflammation and help alleviate your pain.
• Surgery: In more severe cases where conservative treatments are unsuccessful, it may be recommended to have surgical removal of the bone spur.

How to Dissolve Bone Spurs Naturally

While there's limited scientific evidence to support natural remedies for dissolving bone spurs, some people find relief through:

• A healthy diet consisting of anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, as well as omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation.
• Maintaining a healthy weight to lessen the added strain on your joints, potentially slowing the progression of bone spurs.
• Some individuals report benefits from supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, though results vary.

While there is limited scientific evidence that these techniques will dissolve bone spurs naturally, they are great lifestyle choices and will contribute to your overall well-being even if they don't.

Common questions about bone spurs

Are osteophytes and bone spurs the same thing?

Yes. Osteophyte is the medical term, bone spur is the everyday one, and both describe extra bone that forms at the edge of a joint.

Do bone spurs go away on their own?

Once a spur has formed, the bone itself usually stays put. What often changes is the irritation around it, so symptoms can settle with the kind of conservative care described above. If your pain isn't easing, talk to your doctor or contact us at POA.

Does spurring on an X-ray always cause pain?

No. Plenty of people have spurring on imaging and feel nothing at all. What matters is whether the findings line up with your symptoms, which is something to review with your doctor or with one of our specialists.

Don't Live with Bone Spurs - Seek Help

Living with bone spurs can affect your quality of life, and you don't have to put up with it in silence. If you're dealing with pain or discomfort that keeps coming back, schedule an appointment with one of our specialists. They can evaluate the joint thoroughly and recommend a treatment plan to help you get back to doing what you love.