About bone spurs (osteophytes)

What is bone spurs (osteophytes)?

Bone spur facts

  • A bone spur (osteophyte) is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.
  • Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation, such as from degenerative arthritis or tendonitis.
  • Bone spurs develop in areas of inflammation or injury of nearby cartilage or tendons.
  • Bone spurs may or may not cause symptoms. When they do cause symptoms, the symptoms depend on their location.
  • Bone spurs can be associated with pain, numbness, tenderness, and weakness if they are irritating adjacent tissues.
  • Bone spurs are detected by radiologic testing, such as with plain X-rays, ultrasound imaging, MRI scan, CT scan, and myelograms.
  • Bone spurs are treated only if they are causing symptoms. Initial treatment is directed toward decreasing inflammation and avoiding reinjury when possible.

What are the symptoms for bone spurs (osteophytes)?

The hip joint shown on the left side of the image is normal, but the hip joint shown on the right side of the image shows deterioration of cartilage and the formation of bone spurs due to osteoarthritis.

Bone spurs on spine 

As your spine ages, it's more likely to experience bone spurs or herniated disks. These problems can reduce the amount of space available for your spinal cord and the nerves that branch off it.

Most bone spurs cause no signs or symptoms. You might not realize you have bone spurs until an X-ray for another condition reveals the growths. In some cases, though, bone spurs can cause Pain and loss of motion in your joints.

Specific symptoms depend on where the bone spurs are. Examples include:

  • Knee. Bone spurs in your knee can make it painful to extend and bend your leg.
  • Spine. On your vertebrae, bone spurs can narrow the space that contains your spinal cord. These bone spurs can pinch the spinal cord or its nerve roots and can cause Weakness or Numbness in your arms or legs.
  • Hip. Bone spurs can make it painful to move your hip, although you might feel the Pain in your knee. Depending on their placement, bone spurs can reduce the range of motion in your hip joint.

What are the causes for bone spurs (osteophytes)?

Joint damage from osteoarthritis is the most common cause of bone spurs. As osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones, your body attempts to repair the loss by creating bone spurs near the damaged area.

What are the treatments for bone spurs (osteophytes)?

Bone spurs are treated only if they are causing symptoms. Initial treatment is directed toward decreasing inflammation and avoiding reinjury when possible. Local cold application can help when the location of the bone spur is accessible. Anti-inflammatory medications, administered both orally and by local injection (Kenalog, Depomedrol, Celestone), are commonly used, depending on the location of the spur. Local mechanical measures, such as orthotics, or shoe inserts, and local bone spur pads might be considered, depending on the location of the bone spur. Bone spurs that are causing irritation of nerves, tendons or ligaments and that are resistant to conservative measures can require surgical operations for treatment.

What are the risk factors for bone spurs (osteophytes)?

The risk of bone spurs is higher in people who have arthritis.

Video related to bone spurs (osteophytes)