Spine bone spurs are a commonly occurring issue as your body ages, yet are often misunderstood. While the word “spur” often leads people to imagine something sharp or pointed digging into a nerve or other tissue, bone spurs, or osteophytes, are actually smooth excess growths that can develop along your spine. Furthermore, spine bone spurs by themselves do not actually cause any serious problems. Whether they grow due to aging, arthritis, disc degeneration, traumatic injury, poor posture, overuse, or other causes, bone spurs can form in your back, neck, joints, or other areas of your body as you age.
While spine bone spurs can often develop without causing you any harm, it is possible for these growths to impinge on a nerve or other bone, and this is when problems can arise. The possible effects of this type of situation can include:
- Restricted movement
- Radiating arm and leg pain
- Weakness in the extremities
- Numbness
- Severe neck or back pain
- In some cases, disability
An X-ray can help determine if spine bone spurs are to blame if you are experiencing any of the above bone spur symptoms. Your physician can also help you determine the best treatment option if bone spurs are causing you pain and other problems. Bone spur treatments can range from simple rest to medications – including anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and pain relievers – or cortisone injections, physical therapy, exercise routines, or even surgery.
Many surgical options for treating spine and marginal bone spurs often involve painful and lengthy recovery processes, but with the state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute, you can experience relief from the pain of spine bone spurs much more quickly, with a faster recuperation period and lower infection rates than many other treatments. To learn more about our innovative procedures and top-of-the-line surgical centers, or for a complimentary MRI or CT scan review, contact us today.
