Contrary to popular belief, bone spurs aren’t always painful. In fact, these small, smooth calcium deposits often form on bone surfaces without causing any symptoms at all. However, if a spinal bone spur leads to another issue in the neck or back, a number of uncomfortable symptoms can develop as a result.

So, how do spinal bone spurs cause other back problems? Complications most commonly develop when:

1. A bone spur presses up against one of the sensitive nerves or nerve roots in the spinal canal, or
2. A bone spur becomes so large that it compresses the spinal cord

Because these growths can take up space in the spinal canal that is intended for other, more sensitive structures, their presence can lead to a number of potential issues.

What are the most common complications of a spinal bone spur?

Other conditions that commonly accompany spinal bone spurs include spinal stenosis, pinched nerves and osteoarthritis. Ideally, a patient’s treatment plan will include a combination of treatments, such as medications and physical therapy, to help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by each of these issues.

Bone spur treatment at USA Spine Care

Bone spurs that don’t cause any symptoms (or that can be managed with conservative measures) don’t necessarily need to be removed. However, surgery may be a potential treatment option for people whose symptoms persist despite various attempts at nonsurgical treatment.

At USA Spine Care, we perform minimally invasive spine surgery as a safer and effective alternative to open back surgery. Our board-certified surgeons+ treat bone spurs, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves and a number of other conditions. If you’d like to find out more about our outpatient procedures, contact us today. We can review your MRI at no cost to help you find out if you’re a candidate for our advanced, muscle-sparing surgeries.