Bone Spurs

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• Bone spurs are bony bumps that grow from the edge of a bone usually near a joint.
• You may not need treatment, or you may need medicines, physical therapy, or surgery.
• Try to keep a healthy weight and exercise according to your healthcare provider’s or physical therapist’s instructions.

________________________________________________________________________

What are bone spurs?

Bone spurs are bony bumps that grow from the edge of a bone usually near a joint. This new bone replaces normal bone but grows in the wrong shape. The bony bumps may press against nearby nerves and muscles. Sometimes bone spurs are called osteophytes.

Bone spurs can happen in any of your joints, but they usually affect your feet, knees, back, and neck.

What is the cause?

The exact cause of bone spurs is not known. You may develop bone spurs if you have some types of arthritis. Arthritis is pain and stiffness of your joints. Sometimes you may have redness, swelling, and warmth around painful joints. The shape of your joints may change.

Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis where the cartilage in your joints breaks down. Cartilage is the cushion that covers the ends of bones and allows free motion of joints. If cartilage gets rough or wears away, the rough cartilage or bone surfaces grind against each other. The joint gets irritated and swollen (inflamed) and can cause abnormal bone growths, called spurs.

What are the symptoms?

You may have a bone spur without having any symptoms.

If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Bone pain usually near a joint
• Stiff or painful joints
• Numbness or tingling around a joint

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. Tests may include:

• X-rays
• MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of the body part where you are having symptoms
• CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the body part where you are having symptoms

How is it treated?

• Several kinds of medicines may be used, such as:
  • Nonprescription pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help treat pain. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, you should not take these medicines for more than 10 days.
  • Acetaminophen may cause liver damage or other problems. Unless recommended by your provider, don't take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours. To make sure you don’t take too much, check other medicines you take to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Ask your provider if you need to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age.
  • Steroid medicines may help decrease pain and swelling but will not make bone spurs go away.
• Physical therapy can help you improve your ability to move and helps you stretch, relax, and strengthen your muscles and joints. It may also help you have less pain.
• You may need surgery if bone spurs are pressing on nerves and causing pain or if they are limiting your joint movement.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:

• Try to keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, lose weight.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise according to your healthcare provider’s or physical therapist’s instructions. Exercise is very important for keeping your bones strong, your weight under control, and your joints flexible.
• Wearing a brace may help your symptoms.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to quit smoking.
• If you drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink.

Ask your healthcare provider:

• How and when you will get your test results
• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

You can get more information from:

• NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
  877-226-4267
  http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/