There are several factors involved in ascertaining a bone spur diagnosis for a patient. A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a growth that can form in and around jointed areas of the body, such as the hips, knees, and spine. A bone spur in the back or neck is typically evidence of osteoarthritis taking place in the facet joints of the spine.

To confirm the presence of bone spurs and related conditions in the spine, a doctor will want to review a patient's complete medical history. This allows the doctor to gain an overall look at the patient's health based on his or her previous surgeries, past and current medications, allergies, and lifestyle habits (smoking, drug use, alcohol use, exercise, etc.) Additionally, the medical history of a patient's family is also considered, since it is believed that some spinal conditions are passed down genetically.

A physical examination will likely be performed to allow a doctor to observe important patient behaviors in real-time. The vital signs of blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate are measured and recorded. A doctor will ask a patient to thoroughly detail the severity of symptoms felt and how frequently they arise, as well as determine which movements increase or decrease pain. A patient's reflexes and muscle strength could also be tested. A bone spur diagnosis may also involve palpation of the spine, which can help a doctor determine which areas are tender and the most painful.

Using Imaging for Bone Spur Diagnosis

Along with the examinations mentioned above, a doctor will probably order some form of diagnostic imaging. The most common form of imaging used for bone spur diagnosis is the X-ray. An X-ray machine passes waves of radiation through clothes and the body to record an image of the skeleton beneath. X-rays can generally detect bone spurs, but more advanced imaging tools may be needed to show more detailed images of the spinal column and the degeneration present. A magnetic resonance imaging machine, or MRI, uses a magnetic field and radio wave pulses to generate images of the body, while a computed tomography (CT) scan uses multiple X-rays to formulate cross sectional images of the body.

After a Bone Spur Diagnosis is Confirmed

Once a doctor has determined that bone spurs are present in a patient's spine, the next step is to formulate a treatment plan that will provide the best results. In most cases, a doctor will initially recommend a conservative (nonsurgical) treatment plan. Conservative methods are considered the "gold standard" of treatments within the health care system, as they often prove effective at relieving pain and other symptoms. Such methods usually include cold/hot therapy, physical therapy, low-impact exercise, over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, and light stretching techniques, among others. Some patients with bone spurs may choose to explore alternative treatment methods, such as herbal remedies, gentle massage, chiropractic adjustments, and others. These methods take an all-natural, holistic approach to pain relief and are therefore not as highly regarded within the mainstream medical community. In most cases, several weeks or months of non-surgical treatments are able to alleviate bone spur symptoms. As a result, surgical treatments are rarely required.