Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)

A bone spur (osteophyte) is a bone growth that is the body’s direct response to bone friction and deterioration. Individually, bone spurs are harmless, it is only when these growths come in contact with surrounding bones, nerves and tissues that chronic pain and other symptoms will arise. Bone spurs most commonly occur within the spine, which may lead to the compression of nerves and spinal cord.

Causes of Bone Spurs

As time progresses, bone spurs may arise as joints become weakened and deteriorate. They will occur as the body tries to reverse the effects of deterioration and keep joints stable.

Aging: Over time, tendons and ligaments become stressed and may lead to bone spurs.
Injury: Major traumas like car accidents, sports injuries and other impactful accidents may cause the growth of bone spurs.
Existing conditions: Conditions like spinal arthritis can cause cartilage to deteriorate and bones to rub against each, which may lead to the development of bone spurs.
Disc degeneration: As discs deteriorate with aging, vertebrae will become exposed and rub against one another which can result in the growth of bone spurs.
Obesity: Excess weight can create pressure on the spine and can gradually cause bone spurs.
Family history: If there is a family history of specific spine conditions like spinal arthritis or spinal stenosis, a greater risk for bone spurs is presented.

Symptoms Of Bone Spurs

Bone spurs do not always have blatant symptoms. In some instances, bone spurs may not have any at all. Symptoms will occur if the bone spurs rub against nearby bones, nerve roots or surrounding tissue.

Limited mobility
Stiffness in the neck or back area
Headaches
Centralized pain

Pinched nerves
Neck and back pain
Weakness in limbs, hands and feet
Numbness, tenderness and tingling throughout the body

Bone Spurs Treatment Orange County

At OC Spine Center, we strive to personalize each patient’s treatment. Our board-certified physicians will carefully diagnose the condition after a thorough consultation. After the diagnosis has been reached, the spine specialist will provide the patient with a conservative treatment plan. Treatments may include medication, hot and cold therapy, physical therapy and injections. If the initial treatment does not work, surgery may be the next course of action to alleviate pain and improve mobility. Minimally invasive decompression procedures are the top surgeries performed to successfully treat bone spurs. All of our decompression procedures are an outpatient procedure, have a short recovery time and are low risk.

Minimally Invasive Decompression Procedures:

Discectomy: This procedure is done to carefully remove a portion of a bulging disc to diminish pain.

Foraminotomy: Bone spurs may be removed through this procedure and provide instant pain relief by relieving compressed nerves.

Laminotomy: This procedure can be performed to relieve pressure from the spinal cord by removing a section of the lamina.

If you are suffering from chronic pain or any of the symptoms above, please reach out to our team of friendly spine specialists to book your consultation today at OC Spine Center.