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When picturing a bone spur one might envision a spur like object such that a cowboy wears on his boots. This could not be any further from the truth. A bone spur occurs over a long period of time as we age and is a smooth boney growth. The bone spur itself is not painful, although the effect that it has on nearby structures such as nerves or the spinal cord can be.
The foramen is an opening behind each spinal disc and under each joint that allows for nerve roots to leave the spinal cord and go to other parts of the body. The foramen encloses the nerve and is just large enough for the nerve to pass through.
When a bone spur develops in the foramen they cause problems by narrowing the opening and putting pressure on the nerve. This is one of the causes of back pain associated with the development of bone spurs.
Because the bone spur in itself is not painful, the development of a bone spur may go undetected for many years until it begins to press or push against bones or nerves which starts to cause back pain or disability.
Bone Spur Symptoms
- Pins and needles in the patient’s hands or feet (this is a burning or tingling sensation)
- A dull pain felt while walking or standing, affecting the lower back or neck
- A loss of coordination in part of the body
- Cramps or muscle spasms
- General muscle weakness
- Numbness
- If the affected area is in the lower back, pain in the buttocks and radiating down the legs
- If the affected area is in the neck, pain will be more noticeable in the shoulders and may cause headaches
Like most back conditions, physical activity tends to increase the severity of the pain and rest will often make you feel better. Excessive pressure being placed on the nerves that control a persons bladder and bowel urges may become problematic and in some cases may lead to a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
A bone spur is typically created as a result of the body’s natural healing process. A bone spur may also be formed in response to pressure, rubbing or continued stress being applied to an area over an extended period of time. Another factor that affects the development of bone spurs is age. Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage that covers the end of bones within a joint breaks down and eventually wears away. The discs that provide impact cushioning for the spine may eventually degrade leading to pain and swelling and in some cases bone spurs. Bone spurs that are a result of aging usually form in the spine or in the feet.
The contributing factors of bone spurs include
- Aging
- Disc and joint degeneration
- Heredity
- Injuries
- Nutrition
- Poor posture
- Birth defects in structure
Bone spurs are more likely to form under the following conditions
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal stenosis
Bone spurs only require treatment about forty percent of the time. The bone spurs can be treated in a few different ways. For larger individuals weight loss is usually the first avenue to explore. With less stress from excessive weight being placed on the affected area, the pressure is reduced. A physical therapist that provides ultrasound or deep tissue massages may be helpful in combating the bone spur back pain.
Other way to reduce the symptoms related to bone spurs and back pain includes
- Rest
- Ice
- Stretching
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen)
- Corticosteroid injections to the affected area