Treatment for spinal bone spurs typically starts conservatively, progressing toward more aggressive treatment methods as necessary. In most cases, pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness associated with nerve compression caused by a spinal bone spur can be managed through a nonsurgical regimen that might include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); a regimen of low-impact exercise, such as walking or swimming; a course of stretching exercises; applications of heat or ice packs; or other conservative methods.
A patient might also be referred to a physical therapist for behavior modification training, including advice on how to improve posture and avoid physical activity that exacerbates his or her symptoms. No two cases are alike, so the combination of treatment methods required to provide relief will vary from patient to patient.
A more aggressive method of treatment often used is corticosteroid injections. A compound of anesthetic agent and steroids injected directly into the area where the nerve compression takes place can provide targeted pain relief and reduce swelling. This effect is temporary, however, and more than one injection is often necessary.
Alternative & Complementary Treatment Methods
Although not always recommended by most mainstream physicians, many patients suffering from back pain and other symptoms related to bone spurs have found relief by turning to alternative and complementary methods. Chiropractic adjustment is classified as an alternative treatment, although chiropractors have gained widespread acceptance over the past several decades. Before consenting to any form of alternative or complementary medicine, consult with your doctor to make sure the new method won't interfere with ongoing conservative treatment.
Other alternative bone spur treatment options include:
* Inversion therapy - using specially designed tables, patients are hung upside down to relieve gravitational pressure from nerve roots and other components of the spinal anatomy.
* Prolotherapy - a sugar solution is injected into the spine to help deteriorating connective tissue regenerate, thereby improving spinal stability and relieving pressure from compressed nerve roots.
* Acupuncture -originated in Asia thousands of years ago and continues to attract loyal adherents throughout the world today.
* Herbal supplements - certain herbs and compounds, including glucosamine and chondroitin, are believed to have curative properties related to the structural damage caused by osteoarthritis, a precursor to the development of spinal bone spurs.
As mentioned above, the efficacy of alternative methods remains open for debate in the medical community. What is important to remember is that no new treatment method should be attempted before clearing it with a physician.
Surgery for Spinal Bone Spurs
Surgery is usually the last resort for spinal bone spur patients. There are two main forms of spinal bone spur surgery - open back or neck, and minimally invasive procedures. Open back or neck surgery is highly invasive, requires the removal of a significant portion of spinal anatomy and the insertion of stabilizing hardware and bone graft material, and carries risks for anesthesia allergies, internal bleeding, bone graft rejection, fusion failure, nerve damage, and more.
Then there are the minimally invasive alternatives. Unlike open back or neck surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery does not require hospitalization because it is performed on an outpatient basis. And because it is performed endoscopically, there is significantly less tissue removal involved. Surgical instruments, including a laser and a tiny camera (endoscope) are inserted through a very small incision (usually less than one inch), and only the anatomical material responsible for the painful nerve compression is removed.
Because no soft tissue is dissected during minimally invasive procedures, the recovery period is significantly shorter than for open back or neck surgery. There also is significantly less risk of infection and other potential setbacks.
