Having a bone spur develop in the spine can be the cause of potentially significant discomfort or it may go completely undetected. The variable, it seems, is whether the bone spur has compressed a nerve root or the spinal cord. When this occurs, a variety of symptoms may develop that could require treatment to overcome.

What Causes a Bone Spur?

A bone spur, also known as an osteophyte, refers to a bony protrusion that often develops as a result of bone-on-bone contact. In the spine, adjacent vertebrae are connected by vertebral facet joints, which are responsible for allowing the vertebrae to articulate against one another comfortably. These joints are lined with cartilage and encapsulated in lubricating fluid. However, over the years, wear and tear can cause this cartilage to dissipate, causing the bones to grind against one another. The body senses this and grows bone spurs in an attempt to stabilize the spine and prevent bone-on-bone contact. The problem is that these bone spurs can make movement in the joint particularly painful and may inflame the nerve that exists in the joint itself.

Symptoms

Several different symptoms can develop as a result of a bone spur in the spine, depending on the cause, location, and severity of the problem. Common examples include:

* Localized pain
* Pain radiating along the nerve
* Diminished reflexes
* Loss of mobility in the vertebral region
* And more

Risk Factors

While a certain degree of degeneration of the facet joints is to be expected, there are a number of external risk factors that can make it more likely that a person will suffer from chronic neck or back problems. For instance, an individual who is obese is at high risk for bone spurs because the burden of supporting excess body fat on the spine takes its toll over the years. Somewhat similarly, living a sedentary lifestyle can also be problematic, because the muscles the support the back and neck can weaken, transferring the strain to the spinal column. Participation in high impact sports or having a line of work that requires frequent bending, twisting, or lifting can similarly accelerate problems. Generally speaking, any activity that puts additional strain on the anatomical elements of the spine should be avoided or at least limited. Abuse of alcohol or tobacco addiction may also lead to poor spine health.

Treatment

Effective treatment of the symptoms associated with a bone spur can sometimes be accomplished with a regimen of conservative, nonsurgical techniques that are designed to alleviate strain from the back or neck. The use of low-impact exercises, stretching techniques, muscle relaxants, and other similar methods are quite common.

However, in the event that several weeks or months of noninvasive treatment prove ineffective, surgical intervention may be required to remove the source of the problem. This can be accomplished in several different ways, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the patient and their condition. Some individuals may benefit from an open spine surgery, such as spinal fusion, while others may be able to find relief by scheduling a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes advanced endoscopic technology. To learn more about what it means to have a bone spur in your spine, speak with your doctor today.