Bone spurs, medically known as osteophytes, are bony projections that form along joints and edges of bones. Bone spurs themselves aren’t painful, but they can cause pain when they rub against nearby nerves. They can form on your heels, knees, spine, legs, shoulders, and fingers. Common bone spurs like those that occur on the spine cause back pain, while heel spurs make it hard for patients to walk. Spurs can have more debilitating symptoms depending on their location and nature. The following are the treatment methods available today for bone spurs.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Bone Spurs
You don’t have to treat bone spurs unless they cause you difficulties or pain. Patients with only mild nerve compression due to bone spurs can manage their symptoms without going through surgery. The following are the most common nonsurgical treatment methods for bone spurs:
- Take some NSAIDs: You can reduce the pain caused by bone spurs by taking anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants for approximately four to six weeks. NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are typically prescribed by doctors to reduce symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and fever caused by bone spurs. The three types of NSAIDs most commonly used to treat back and neck pain include: ibuprofen, naproxen, and COX-2 inhibitors.
- Ibuprofen is available without a prescription for patients who suffer from back pain, inflammation, tenderness, and stiffness. Shoulder bone spurs can restrict the motion of your arm and cause swelling in your rotator cuff, the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulders. Ibuprofen can reduce this swelling and remove any stiffness from the muscles and ligaments. Ibuprofen is generally safe, but you should avoid taking it if you have a sensitive stomach or an active ulcer. It’s also best to take the drug with food to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Talk to your doctor about taking ibuprofen because it can cause mild blood thinning that lasts for a few hours, reducing the potency of diuretics and blood pressure medications. The recommended dose for ibuprofen is 400 mg every eight hours, but prescription doses can be as high as 800 mg every eight hours.
- Naproxen works by reducing proteins in the body that cause inflammation and pain. Avoid naproxen if you’re taking anticoagulants and oral blood thinners because it thins the blood and may cause bleeding. Also, it’s advisable not to take naproxen if you have a sensitive stomach or active ulcers since it has adverse gastrointestinal side effects. You can reduce these side effects though by taking naproxen with food. Your doctor may require you to take 250 to 500 mg of the drug twice each day.
- COX-2 inhibitors are good for people with ulcers and sensitive stomachs because they don’t harm the protective lining of the stomach. They work by stopping the chemical reactions that cause inflammation in the body. Another good thing about COX-2 inhibitors is that they don’t impair blood clotting, and so are safe for patients who take blood-thinning drugs. Your physician may also require you to take them before or after surgery without an increased risk of bleeding. Recent studies suggest, however, that COX-2 inhibitors may potentially increase your risk of having heart attack or stroke, so talk to your doctor before opting for these medicines.
- Get enough rest: Doing strenuous activities may cause bone spurs to rub against nerves more frequently, causing more pain. If you have bone spurs on your fingers, they can exacerbate the inflammation on the joints, making your hand look more disfigured and painful. Limit strenuous physical activities unless you’re doing them as part of your physical therapy.
- Undergo physical therapy: Spurs that grow on the spine and the neck can reduce movement and cause pain. One way to reduce or eliminate these symptoms is by undergoing physical therapy. It involves exercise programs that help you strengthen your weak points and regain strength that you may have lost. Depending on the nature of your bone spurs, the physical therapist may require you to do a combination of aerobic conditioning, stretching, and muscle-building exercises.
While getting enough rest restores energy, too much of it weakens muscles that support your spine, neck, or shoulders. Symptoms of bone spurs can worsen if you remain inactive for a long time. On the other hand, exercise increases muscle strength and flexibility, and promotes healing by increasing blood flow to injured areas. Strong muscles will provide better protection for your bones and joints.
- Consider epidural injections: Cortisone or epidural steroid injections can relieve pain caused by bone spurs by reducing swelling and inflammation. The procedure takes place in a hospital, clinic, or surgery center. You can go to a surgeon, neurologist, radiologist, or anesthesiologist to talk about the possibility of undergoing this procedure.
A single epidural injection procedure takes between 15 to 30 minutes to finish. If you have bone spurs on your spine, the physician may tell you to lie flat on an x-ray table before he numbs the injection site with an anesthetic. He then uses the x-ray for guidance as he injects the drug into the site. He may monitor you for about 15 to 20 minutes before letting you go home.
The benefits of an epidural injection is usually temporary, so you’ll probably have to go back to repeat the procedure. Doctors typically perform up to three injections per year for patients suffering from back pain or bone spurs. If you don’t experience any improvement after the first injection, the procedure probably doesn’t work for you, and you may need other forms of treatment.
Surgical Treatment for Bone Spurs
Surgical procedures for treatment of bone spurs differ depending on the nature of the spurs; for instance, if your spurs are on the spine, your physician may recommend laminectomy, which typically involves the removal of spurs and thickened ligaments that cause nerve compression. The majority of patients who choose surgery to treat their bone spurs report positive results, often gaining years of relief from pain, and improved quality of life.
While age is not a factor in determining whether a person will benefit from surgery, age-related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes can increase surgical risks and slow recovery. Take note that surgery should not be your first option in treating bone spurs. The following are important factors to consider before requesting for surgery:
- Pain level: If the pain caused by your bone spurs is not alleviated by nonsurgical treatments, and has continued for weeks or months, then maybe it’s time to consider surgery. Also, see a spine surgeon immediately if the pain is too severe and can’t be reduced even by narcotic pain medications.
- Ability to function: Some bone spurs can interfere with your day-to-day activities; for example, bone spurs on the neck can protrude inward, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. If you can’t complete your daily tasks because of your bone spurs, then it’s advisable that you see a surgeon immediately.
Consult your doctor if you think you have bone spurs because symptoms can worsen without proper treatment. Many people with bone spurs live productive and happy lives, so don’t panic if you get diagnosed with them. Seek the proper treatment to get rid of your symptoms as soon as possible.
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