Bone Spurs (Osteophyte): Treatments and Prevention
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Key Takeaway
- The non-surgical treatments available for bone spurs are first-aid, medication, and physical therapy. Surgical removal of bone spurs is usually reserved for patients who experience severe pain and when other treatments are ineffective.
What are Bone Spurs?
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are smooth bony growths that develop on the edges of the bones. Osteophytes are the result of the body’s attempt to repair damage or stress on bones and joints. They can often be found near joints or where ligaments and tendons connect to bones. Since bone spurs are the body’s response to stress, they tend to grow in your spine and heel, because these regions are also subject to a lot of pressure. Other common locations where bone spurs can be found are as follows:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Hands (especially your knuckles)
- Hips
- Knees
- Feet
How to Treat Bone Spurs?
Treatment of osteophytes may not be necessary unless you are experiencing symptoms. If signs of bone spurs are present, treatment will depend on the location and impact of the bone spurs.
Treating Bone Spurs Without Surgery
Treating Bone Spurs via First Aid
Resting is one of the best ways to alleviate stress on the affected joint and not put any further stress on it. You may also apply ice on the affected area to alleviate any swelling you may be experiencing. If your osteophytes are found in your foot or heel, shoe inserts can help to relieve the pain.
Treating Bone Spurs with Medication
Medication such as over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, paracetamol, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve the pain and pressure from bone spurs. Your doctor may also prescribe corticosteroid or anaesthetic injections to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area.
Treating Bone Spurs via Physical Therapy
Since you may be experiencing reduced mobility due to bone spurs, physical therapy may be prescribed by your doctor to improve your flexibility and strength so that you can regain your normal range of motion. Your physical therapist will also be able to recommend exercises to improve your joint mobility and strengthen your surrounding muscles.
Treating Bone Spurs With Surgery
Surgery to remove bone spurs may only be considered if the symptoms you are experiencing are severe, other non-surgical treatments are ineffective, if the osteophyte impinges on your nerves, or if they significantly reduce your range of motion. Removal of the bone spurs alone may not fully alleviate your symptoms and treatment may be required to treat the condition causing the bone spurs.
How to Prevent Bone Spurs?
Since bone spurs can be caused by ageing or degeneration of joints or discs, you may not be able to prevent osteophytes entirely. However, there are certain things you can do to reduce or delay the condition.
By engaging in regular physical activity, you will be able to keep your joints flexible while maintaining a healthy weight, which reduces pressure on your joints. Low-impact exercises such as swimming or yoga keep you active without putting too much stress on your affected joints. Having adequate nutrition is also vital, as insufficient nutrition can lead to weakened tissues, and overeating will result in weight gain.
A good posture will also help to relieve stress on your joints. You can do this by adopting proper sitting, standing, and walking stances, wearing supportive footwear, or using ergonomic furniture. This will help to minimise undue stress on your spine and other joints, as well as reduce the stress on your foot and heel.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, osteophytes will not vanish or dissolve on their own, since they are an extra growth on your bone. Bone spur tissue resembles the rest of your bone, and the only way to eliminate it is with surgery. However, surgery is not recommended unless the osteophyte is causing you severe pain and all other treatment methods have failed. Nonetheless, it is still possible to treat the symptoms resulting from osteophytes without removing them.
Yes! You should stay active and healthy even when you have osteophytes. To prevent pain and discomfort when exercising, you should wear appropriate shoes, stretch, and warm up and cool down properly. You should also avoid high-impact exercises or any activities and movements that cause you pain. Instead, you can opt for low-impact activities like walking.
If you are not feeling any pain or symptoms, you may not even know you have osteophytes. However, if you ignore the signs of bone spurs and leave them untreated, they may cause further damage to your joints and leave you with significantly limited mobility. In severe cases, bone spurs may compress surrounding nerves or irritate nearby tendons, causing worse pain and discomfort.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If you are experiencing one or more symptoms of osteophytes, you should seek medical attention. At Avant Orthopaedics, we are dedicated to putting our patients first with our treatments and services to create a personalised experience for them. Book an appointment with us or contact us today if you have any enquiries.
