

It’s important to note that not everyone who suffers from spinal bone spurs are suitable candidates for surgery. X-rays are used extensively for this purpose, but alternative methods include ultrasound imaging, CT scans, MRI scans, and pyelograms. There are several ways to detect and diagnose spinal bone spurs. These are often as painful, with many people unable to walk with them.

They can occur in other joints throughout the body, such as the bottom of the foot (known as heel spurs). As our spinal column loses some of its natural support due to age, it can also increase the risk of a bone spur.īone spurs aren’t limited strictly to the spine, however. Our bodies go through countless changes as we age, including the degradation of tissue and protective cartilage. Of course, age is another risk factor of spinal bone spurs. When the joint becomes inflated, bone-producing cells work overtime, which leads to bone spurs.

This is why degenerating intervertebral discs are a common area in which bone spurs occur. Inflammation stimulates the body’s bone-producing cells, causing them to produce extra bone deposits in the affected area. When the area where bone and cartilage meet becomes inflamed-through arthritis or other injuries/conditions-it may produce a bone spur. The human spinal column is a complex structure, consisting of 33 bones and numerous other ligaments and connective tissue. What Causes Spinal Bone Spurs?ĭegenerative arthritis is one of the most common causes of bone spurs in the back. The good news is that you can typically eliminate the associated pain by having the bone spur surgically removed. If a bone spur pushes against a nerve, for instance, it can produce pain, tingling sensations, and sensitivity. Rather, they contribute to other conditions that can be a source of back pain. Thankfully, there are several treatment options available, including back surgery.Ĭontrary to what some people may believe, bone spurs themselves don’t necessarily cause pain. While bone spurs can form on any joint, they are most common on the spine. An osteophyte, or what’s more commonly known as a bone spur, is a common and oftentimes painful medical condition that’s characterized by the formation of a bony projection on the joints.
