About Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are irregularities and protrusions that form along the edges of bones, usually near a joint. Also known as osteophytes, bone spurs tend to cause joint pain, as the excess bone can irritate nerves and surrounding tissue. Bone spurs are often a precursor to arthritis, but they may form around joints and go undetected for years; sometimes a bone spur will never become a noticeable problem. Bone spurs can form from repetitive joint use, and tend to form in greater numbers in old age. The spine, feet and hands tend to be especially susceptible to bone spurs. X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can reveal bone spurs and help doctor and patient plan treatment options.
Non-surgical Treatment
The proper treatment for bone spurs depends on how problematic a specific bone spur becomes in terms of pain and inhibiting joint mobility. If a bone spur causes minor pain, rest and prescription pain and anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended. A bone spur that does not normally cause pain but flares up to due excessive use of a joint can be calmed with rest and careful use of the joint. Physical therapy involving joint flexibly, mobility and strengthening exercises can sometimes alleviate problems with bone spurs. Wearing devices such as splints, braces or orthotics, which limit joint mobility during normal use, can help reduce irritation caused by bone spurs.
Surgery
If a bone spur irritates a nerve excessively causing constant pain or severely limits range of motion, surgical procedures can be performed to remove the spur. Surgical removal of bone spurs may be carried out in open surgery or arthroscopically. Open surgical procedures involve cutting the skin in order to gain access to the bone and ligaments. This allows the doctor to view the spur directly and cut it loose. Arthroscopic procedures are carried out by inserting a camera and tools into incisions in the skin. The doctor uses the camera to locate the bone spur and direct his implements to remove the bone spur. Bone spurs may also be removed during other surgical procedures; for instance, if a doctor is performing a surgery for arthritis on a certain joint and notices a bone spur, he may decide to remove it.
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