Osteoporosis — a disease that causes bones to become weak, brittle and prone to breakage — brings enough challenges of its own. Adults with this condition must be careful not to place too much strain on their bodies and may deal with back pain from a collapsed or fractured vertebrae. However, patients with osteoporosis are also at an increased risk of spinal bone spur development.
What are bone spurs?
Bone spurs are small, smooth bony growths that can protrude from a vertebra. They often develop in response to injuries, such as those caused by osteoporosis. A bone spur itself is not painful or problematic, but as it grows, it may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerves and trigger unpleasant symptoms like shooting pain, tingling sensations, muscle weakness and numbness. Large bone spurs can also lead to localized pain and stiffness, even if they are not compressing a nerve.
What are my bone spur treatment options?
Bone spur treatment is only necessary if disruptive symptoms are present. Each patient’s ideal course of treatment will vary, but many physicians recommend a combination of conservative therapies and self-care measures, such as:
- Gentle stretching and low-impact exercise
- Anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Alternative therapies, like chiropractic care and acupuncture
Many patients are able to find adequate symptom relief through conservative treatments and self-care measures, but some may require surgical care to relieve nerve compression, create more room in the spinal canal or remove the bone spur altogether. In these instances, USA Spine Care offers the latest advances in minimally invasive outpatient procedures. Our surgeries are performed by board-certified+ surgeons and come with less risk than traditional open spine operations.^
Contact USA Spine Care today to learn how our physicians can help you overcome your bone spur symptoms. We will be happy to help you discover if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive procedures.
