Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Bone spurs -- also called osteophytes -- are benign, bony bumps that usually form on the joints. Most are harmless and never detected. But if they limit your movement or cause pain, treatment is available. Here's what you should know.

To some extent, bone spurs are just a normal part of aging; your body may produce them to compensate for gradual bone loss that occurs over time. Bone spurs may also be a result of arthritis or other bone diseases. As cartilage in the joints wears away in arthritis patients, bones begin to rub directly against each other and bone spurs develop. These bumps may protrude into surrounding tendons or break off and float in the space within joints, causing swelling or interfering with range of motion.

In the spine, bone spurs may lead to stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) and exert pressure on the nerves, causing muscle weakness, tingling, loss of coordination, or radiating pain in the buttocks, thighs, or shoulders. Bone spurs in the spine's cervical region can push into the throat, making it difficult to swallow or breathe. Symptoms like these may indicate diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), a condition characterized by multiple bone spurs and ossified ligaments, usually in the spine (though DISH can affect other areas of the body).

If you are experiencing symptoms, your doctor will examine you and possibly order x-rays or other imaging tests. The best way to treat a bone spur is by addressing the underlying cause. In addition to arthritis and other medical conditions like DISH, excess weight, bad posture, old athletic injuries, or even shoes that don't fit well may be to blame.

Conservative therapy usually involves rest, icing, stretching, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also, even though your symptoms may seem to worsen with movement, targeted physical therapy exercises can restore range of motion in the joints and promote good posture (which reduces pressure on nerves). For temporary relief of serious pain, you may be given cortisone shots.

Surgical removal is an option for more severe symptoms, particularly if you already require surgery for arthritis. Some people choose to have bone spurs taken out for cosmetic reasons, especially when the hands are affected. Removal can be performed through open or laparoscopic procedures.

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Just an FYI

Thanks for the article.

Treatment - a waxy medicine used for 5 days that might dissolve them. If another ulcer appears it will be biopsied. If they don't dissolve, surgery to shave them down is needed. Because of long term ulcers in the mouth, oral caner risk rises. He said in 25 years, he has had maybe 20 patients with oral bone spurs and they all only lasted a couple weeks to a few months never 2 years. Says i will probably be his first patient who needs the surgery.

Now he says bone spurs are mostly from lack of calcium and to increase calcium intake. I told him with always low VIT D that is a problem and I do take both. VIT D is needed to help the body absorb Calcium. He also suggested a hand specialist for the tendonitis in my palm. Says it's a bone spur over the inside knuckle.

My foot doctor did not want to remove it since I have had the same neuroma removed twice in my foot and it is back again. I am just like a star fish!! She said that the spur would more than likely come back as well.

Weird huh??

I have bone spurs and stenosis in my spine. I think the spurs are one of the reasons why my back hurts so much.

Donna, those spurs in the roof of mouth sound so painful! It sucks it took you this 2 yrs of misery to finally know what they were...

Donna It does sound painful to have one in the mouth. Hugs and prayers

Thanks Karen

I have spinal stenosis and have bone spurs in the cervical spine.

I have had treatment for my neck and lumbar spine, trying desperately to avoid surgery, will continue with physical therapy and meds for now. Sure hope my neck and spinal pain will lessen.