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Bone spur
Overview | Causes
| Symptoms | Diagnosis
| Treatment | FAQ
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Overview
A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a projection of bone
that develops and grows along the edge of joints. Bone spurs are fairly
common in people over the age of 60. It is not the bone spur itself
that is the real problem; pain and inflammation begin to occur when
the bone spur rubs against nerves and bones.
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Causes
As we age, the discs in our spine naturally degenerate
and lose some of their natural shock-absorbing ability. Factors that
contribute to and accelerate this process include stress, injury, poor
posture, poor nutrition, and family history.
It is not uncommon for people with osteoarthritis to get
bone spurs. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which joint
cartilage begins to wear down, causing bone to rub against bone. As
a result, the body may begin to produce new bone to protect against
this, which is how a bone spur forms.
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Symptoms
- Back and neck pain
- Pain radiating through an arm and/or leg
- Prominent lumps on the hands, feet or spine
- Numbness
- Burning
- Muscle cramps
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Diagnosis
Outlined below are some of the diagnostic tools that your physician
may use to gain insight into your condition and determine the best treatment
plan for your condition.
- Medical history: Conducting a detailed medical history
helps the doctor better understand the possible causes of your back
and neck pain which can help outline the most appropriate treatment.
- Physical exam: During the physical exam, your physician
will try to pinpoint the source of pain. Simple tests for flexibility
and muscle strength may also be conducted.
- X-rays are usually the first step in diagnostic testing
methods. X-rays show bones and the space between bones. They are of
limited value, however, since they do not show muscles and ligaments.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a magnetic field
and radio waves to generate highly detailed pictures of the inside
of your body. Since X-rays only show bones, MRIs are needed to visualize
soft tissues like discs in the spine. This type of imaging is very
safe and usually pain-free.
- CT scan/myelogram: A CT scan is similar to an MRI in
that it provides diagnostic information about the internal structures
of the spine. A myelogram is used to diagnose a bulging disc, tumor,
or changes in the bones surrounding the spinal cord or nerves. A local
anesthetic is injected into the low back to numb the area. A lumbar
puncture (spinal tap) is then performed. A dye is injected into the
spinal canal to reveal where problems lie.
- Electrodiagnostics: Electrical testing of the nerves
and spinal cord may be performed as part of a diagnostic workup. These
tests, called electromyography (EMG) or somato sensory evoked potentials
(SSEP), assist your doctor in understanding how your nerves or spinal
cord are affected by your condition.
- Bone scan: Bone imaging is used to detect infection,
malignancy, fractures and arthritis in any part of the skeleton. Bone
scans are also used for finding lesions for biopsy or excision.
- Discography is used to determine the internal structure
of a disc. It is performed by using a local anesthetic and injecting
a dye into the disc under X-ray guidance. An X-ray and CT scan are
performed to view the disc composition to determine if its structure
is normal or abnormal. In addition to the disc appearance, your doctor
will note any pain associated with this injection. The benefit of
a discogram is that it enables the physician to confirm the disc level
that is causing your pain. This ensures that surgery will be more
successful and reduces the risk of operating on the wrong disc.
- Injections: Pain-relieving injections can relieve back
pain and give the physician important information about your problem,
as well as provide a bridge therapy.
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Treatment
The goal when treating bone spurs is to minimize
pain and prevent any additional joint damage. Treatment methods
may include weight loss, stretching and physical therapy, rest
and ice. Injections can reduce inflammation long enough to relieve
symptoms. Medications such as ibuprofen or injections may be administered
for pain. Bone spurs can be surgically removed in the case of serious
damage and deformity.
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FAQs
How can osteoporosis impact the spine and cause
a bone spur?
Osteoporosis can have extremely serious consequences
on the spine. It is a degenerative condition in which joint cartilage
can begin to wear down, causing bone to rub against bone. As a result,
the body may begin to produce new bone to protect against this, which
is how a bone spur forms.
How can I tell if I have a bone spur?
Bone spurs can generally be detected through X-ray,
which can provide a visual of any bony deposits.
Do I need surgery to treat a bone spur?
Because bone spurs are usually evidence of an underlying
problem, this main problem should be addressed first. This can include
treatment methods for degenerative disc disease, arthritis and osteoporosis.
These conditions can often be successfully treated with nonsurgical
methods.
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