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Laser Spine Institute

Laser Spine Institute's minimally invasive procedures are the safe and effective alternative to open neck or back surgery.

Our revolutionary endoscopic surgical techniques are proven to help patients return to their normal, active lifestyles. Every month, more people come to Laser Spine Institute for help in relieving their neck and back pain than to any other spine surgery center in the world.
Conditions
Spine Conditions
- All Spinal Conditions
- Arthritis of the Spine
- Spine Articles
- Bulging Disc
- Herniated Disc
- Pinched Nerve
- Sciatica
- Spinal Stenosis
Spine Conditions A to Z
Procedures
Endoscopic Spine Procedures
There are many spinal conditions that are treated at the Laser Spine Institute. All procedures are uniquely designed and developed to provide patients with the best possible medical care.More on endoscopic spine procedures
About LSI
About Laser Spine Institute
Testimonials

Laser Spine Institute has amazing care with miraculous results.I am pain free at last and looking forward to once again living a full life.
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Free Seminars

What is minimally invasive spine surgery and can this procedure help you?You can get these answers by attending a Free Educational Seminar.
- Seminar Overview
- Upcoming Seminars
- What to Expect
LSI Doctors
Laser Spine Institute Doctors
The physicians at Laser Spine Institute care about you and your condition.More about our doctors and medical staff
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Spinal Bone Spurs
Types of Bone Spurs
Causes
- Bone Spur Causes
Symptoms
- Bone Spur Symptoms
Treatments
- Bone Spurs Treatment
Prevention
- Bone Spurs Prevention
- Osteophyte Prevention
Risk Factors
- Bone Spurs Risk Factors
- Osteophyte Risk Factors

What Are the Symptoms of Bone Spurs?

Although you may have heard of bone spurs before, you may be unclear about what they are and what causes them. Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are abnormal growths of bone that can develop inside facet joints or along the endplates of vertebrae. Your body produces these growths in response to the friction of bone rubbing against bone once joint cartilage has worn away.

Symptom Details

Degeneration of facet joint cartilage could be the result of facet disease (which is a form of spinal osteoarthritis), overexertion, poor posture, aging, degenerative disc disease, or traumatic injury. While many cases of bone spurs remain completely asymptomatic, other patients experience discomfort in the form of:

Crepitus – the painful sensation of bone grinding against bone
Stiffness – joint stiffness or spontaneous joint lockage
Stationary pain – a throbbing or cramp-like feeling in the joint space
Traveling pain – pain that travels from the joint to the extremities due to neural compression
Tingling or numbness – prolonged neural compression can lead to loss of sensation

Conservative Treatments

Conservative, non-operative treatments will not remove or heal osteophytes. However, these therapies can help many people to effectively manage their pain. Your doctor may suggest hot-cold compresses, pain medication, stretching, behavior modification, or selective nerve block injections. If weeks or months of these treatments do not offer you lasting pain relief, your doctor may suggest you consider more advanced methods of pain relief. If this is the case, contact Laser Spine Institute. We offer a variety of minimally invasive, outpatient nerve decompression procedures that utilize state-of-the-art endoscopic technology. To find out if you could be a candidate for a bone spur removal procedure, or for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan, contact Laser Spine Institute today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.

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