If you’ve been diagnosed with a bone spur in the spine, you may be researching whether or not you need bone spur surgery to treat your condition. The common answer to this question is that many people are able to find pain relief through a series of conservative treatments without having to undergo bone spur surgery.

As you and your doctor work together to create your personalized treatment plan to relieve your bone spur pain, there are a few signs to look for to determine if your treatment is working or if you may need bone spur surgery. Take a moment to review the three common signs you may need bone spur surgery, and consult your doctor if you recognize any of these signs throughout your conservative treatment program.

1. You have sharp pains that worsen with movement. If your bone spur is pressing into a nerve root, you could experience chronic pain and discomfort. If this pain continues and/or you experience sharp pain with certain movements, it could be an indication that your nerve compression is worsening and you need bone spur surgery to find relief.
2. Daily activities feel impossible. Conservative treatments are supposed to reduce your pain and symptoms. Therefore, if once-simple daily chores become an almost-impossible feat, it could be a sign that your conservative treatment is no longer effective for your condition. Your doctor may recommend bone spur surgery to restore your normal quality of life.
3. Your symptoms are worsening despite your conservative treatments. When your symptoms no longer respond to conservative treatments, you and your doctor need to discuss your other available treatment options. In some cases, your doctor may alter your conservative treatment plan. In other cases, bone spur surgery may be recommended at the next step toward pain relief.

To learn more about bone spur surgery, contact USA Spine Care. We offer minimally invasive spine surgery as an alternative to traditional open neck and back surgery. To date, we’ve helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck and back pain caused by common spine conditions, including bone spurs. Contact us today and ask for a no-cost MRI review* to find out if you are a candidate for one of our minimally invasive procedures.