A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, can occur in many areas of the body, but most spurs are seen in joints that constantly bear weight, such as those in the spine. Bone spurs are rounded growths that can arise out of bone-on-bone contact and aren’t typically symptomatic. In fact, many people have no idea that they have bone spurs. However, a bone spur can cause trouble when it comes into contact with other parts of the body. In the spine, those elements may include the spinal cord and the nerve roots that branch from it. Pressing on these nerves can cause localized pain and discomfort near the bone spur itself but it can also contribute to symptoms that radiate along the length of the nerve.

Cervical spine bone spurs

The cervical portion of the spine extends from the base of the skull down the neck. When a bone spur affects a vertebra in this area, it can pinch neighboring nerves and cause problems like pain and stiffness of the neck, as well as headaches. Depending on the specific spine level where the nerve compression occurs, it may also lead to pain and discomfort in other areas of the body, such as the shoulders, arms and hands.

In rarer cases, the bone spur places pressure directly upon the spinal cord, causing cervical myelopathy. This condition can cause nerve problems and muscle weakness in any area of the body below the level of nerve compression. That means that although a spur may be located in the neck, it may cause symptoms like weakness of the legs and difficulty walking.

Thoracic spine bone spurs

The central portion of the spine, which is connected to the ribcage, is called the thoracic spine. If a bone spur occurs around the vertebrae in this area, it can lead to an achy upper back, as well as symptoms that radiate to other areas innervated by the affected nerve roots. That could mean weakness, numbness, pain and other symptoms that manifest throughout the torso or legs.

Lumbar spine bone spurs

When a bone spur occurs between vertebrae in the lumbar (lower) spinal region, it has the potential to cause localized backaches, as well as symptoms that radiate to the hips, buttocks, legs and feet. Such issues could include weakness, pain, numbness, muscle spasms or a pins-and-needles sensation.

Treatment options

In a large number of cases, the symptoms caused by a spinal bone spur can be adequately addressed through conservative treatment measures like taking medications to relieve pain, avoiding certain activities and performing specific exercises. However, more severe cases may require surgical intervention. USA Spine Care offers minimally invasive spine surgery as an alternative to more traditional open spine options for patients with bone spurs and other degenerative spine conditions. Contact us today to learn more.

When you reach out to us you can request a free review of your MRI* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.