Bone spur treatment usually can be accomplished without resorting to back or neck surgery. In fact, unless a bone spur compresses or irritates the spinal cord or a nerve root, the spur might remain undetected indefinitely - in which case, no treatment might be necessary. However, if the spine's neurological structures do become affected by a bone spur, it can produce chronic pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness, spasms, and cramping. These symptoms should be diagnosed by a doctor as soon as possible to avoid potentially worse problems later.
Conservative Bone Spur Treatment
In most cases, symptoms associated with nerve compression caused by a bone spur can be managed without surgery. Conservative treatment methods include:
Pain medication - over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) or other analgesic (acetaminophen) medicine for mild pain; prescription pain killer for moderate pain.
Rest - although long periods of inactivity are actually counterproductive, a brief rest might allow inflammation to diminish.
Physical therapy - recovering or increasing strength and flexibility in the spine is crucial, but a licensed therapist should plan exercises to strengthen muscles associated with the spine.
Epidural injections - cortisone injections can reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief; more than one is usually required.
Behavior modification - avoidance of activity that exacerbates the symptoms.
Alternative methods - these include chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture.
Surgical Bone Spur Treatment
If chronic symptoms persist despite several weeks or months of conservative treatment, a doctor might suggest exploring surgical options. This can include open back or neck surgeries that seek to alleviate symptoms through the removal of a large portion of the spinal anatomy, including the offending bone spur or spurs. Or, a doctor might suggest looking for more-targeted, minimally invasive surgical procedures that use lasers and endoscopic technology to remove only the portion of the spinal anatomy directly responsible for creating symptoms.
See Your Doctor
When back or neck pain lasts for more than a few days, make sure to schedule time to see your primary care physician. Back and neck pain can have multiple causes, and it's important to pinpoint the exact cause before any treatment options are considered. Trying to diagnose and treat your own neck and back pain is a risky venture, since you could be wrong about the diagnosis and thereby delaying treatment for a potentially serious or life-threatening condition.
Also, even after you've received a confirmed bone spur diagnosis from your doctor, make sure to keep in touch with him or her about any treatment options you're considering. For example, patients should never begin a new exercise program without a doctor's approval, since some exercises could aggravate - instead of alleviate - symptoms. You should also tell your doctor before you make any major changes to your diet or medication, since this also could have serious consequences for your health.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Having a spinal condition like a bone spur or bulging disc typically is not considered an emergency condition, but in rare cases, these conditions can require emergency treatment. One example of this possibility is the onset of cauda equina syndrome, which is the impingement of the cauda equina nerve bundle located at the lower end of the spinal cord. If a herniated disc, bone spur, or other spinal defect compresses the cauda equina, it could lead to permanent incontinence and lower-body paralysis. Anyone who experiences the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome - muscle weakness in both legs, severe low back pain, urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, or numbness in the groin area - should go to the emergency room right away.
