Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are a condition that occurs when your normal bone structure becomes enlarged; and bone spurs can develop on virtually any bone in your body. These “spurs” are smooth growths that develop in response to pressure applied to your bone structure, and by themselves, bone spurs are harmless. However, when these enlargements impinge on a nerve or other surrounding tissue, they can cause pain and other problems, especially when they occur in the spine and press against the spinal cord or nerve roots. However, there are some bone spurs prevention steps you can take to potentially avoid the negative side effects bone spurs can cause.
Bone spurs prevention steps include:
- Ensuring your diet is rich in vitamins and calcium to ensure strong, healthy bones
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy body weight through diet and exercise
- Taking care of your body and being careful when playing impact sports, which can cause greater stress on joints and potentially lead to the growth of bone spurs
Bone Spur Treatments
If bone spurs prevention hasn’t worked and you are experiencing pain due to osteophytes, there are also a number of treatment options available. A number of non-surgical treatments, including anti-inflammatory medication, can help reduce swelling of the nerve or tissue being pressed against by the bone spur, while physical therapy and exercise to help strengthen the muscles and joints where the bone spurs occur. In some cases, surgery might be required to remove the bone spur and relieve the pressure against the spinal cord, nerve, or other tissue. If you’d like more information on spinal bone spurs, prevention tips, and treatment options, contact Laser Spine Institute today.
