If an individual has a bone spur in the back, it means that a bony growth has developed on a vertebral facet joint or along the edges of another part of a vertebra. Bone spurs, or osteophytes, along the spinal column might compress the spinal cord or one of its nerve roots, which could cause a number of symptoms to develop. Some patients may experience mild discomfort, while others experience severe, debilitating pain. The symptoms associated with a bone spur in the back might include:

* Focal pain near the area of compression
* Inflammation of surrounding tissues
* Reduced range of motion
* Tingling or numbness in the chest, abdomen, lower back, hips, buttocks, legs, and/or feet
* Pain that radiates through mid- to lower body and extremities

Additionally, weakness and spasms could affect the mid- and lower back muscles, hip flexors, gluteal muscles, and legs.

Formation of a Bone Spur in the Back

A bone spur can form on any bone and is the body's way of responding to, and correcting, an unstable area, although bone spurs often do more harm than good. These growths usually appear in jointed areas of the body, such as the heels, shoulders, toes, knees, hips, fingers, and spine. These regions are designed to have a wide range of motion, and areas such as the feet, knees, and lumbar (lower) spine are responsible for bearing a large amount of body weight.

When it comes to the lower back, the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, muscles, and ligaments must work together to keep the entire upper body upright, as well as provide a high level of mobility to facilitate movements such as bending, lifting, twisting, turning, and walking. Years of stress caused by these functions can cause the lumbar spinal structures to begin degenerating. For instance, osteoarthritis can afflict the cartilaginous lining of the lumbar facet joints. The lining can dehydrate, become brittle, and wear away, exposing raw joints. The lack of cartilage can lead to the abnormal movement of the joint and bone may grind against bone. The friction from this grinding may cause the development of bone spurs, as bone material builds up within the joint in an attempt to halt movement.

The thoracic spine (middle back) is generally more stable than the lumbar region and less susceptible to degenerative changes, so there are usually far fewer occurrences of a bone spur in the middle back than instances of lumbar bone spurs.

Treating Symptoms

As mentioned before, if a bone spur in the back comes in contact with the spinal cord or a nerve root, a variety of symptoms may arise. After a proper diagnosis, a doctor will usually suggest a regimen of conservative (nonsurgical) treatments, such as:

* Physical therapy - Physical therapy may help a patient learn techniques to improve posture and exercises to strengthen core (abdominal and back) muscles for better support.

* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - NSAIDs alleviate pain by decrease inflammation around compressed nerves.

* Gentle stretching - Stretching may help a patient improve range of motion in the back, as well as relieve muscle tension, spasms, and pressure on pinched nerves.

* Corticosteroid injections - Injections of steroids into the spinal column can help to decrease inflammation and may be recommended to help treat cases of moderate to severe pain.

* Low-impact exercises - Cardiovascular exercises can help to improve overall health and increase the circulation of nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to painful areas, which can aid in symptomatic relief.

In most cases, several weeks or months of conservative treatments can significantly reduce the symptoms caused by a thoracic or lumbar bone spur. A doctor may recommend surgery only if a patient does not experience pain relief after these treatments. Before consenting to any surgical procedure, patients should ensure that every nonsurgical treatment method has been attempted; and obtaining a second or third opinion from additional doctors can be a good way to confirm this. Additionally, individuals with a bone spur in the back should thoroughly research and understand the surgical options that are available for their condition, as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with each procedure.