A bone spur in the neck (cervical spine) will not always cause pain or require treatment. Produced naturally by the body in response to spinal degeneration, these smooth bony deposits can actually help fortify weakened vertebrae. But, there is some potential for trouble as well.

Within the spinal canal — which houses the spinal cord and a series of sensitive nerve roots — there is only so much space available. If a bone spur develops on a vertebra in the neck, it can encroach on the spinal canal, taking up valuable space and crowding nearby nerves. If a spinal nerve becomes pressured, it may produce a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

Symptoms of a bone spur in the cervical spine

If a bone spur in the neck compresses a spinal nerve, the resulting discomfort can take a variety of forms, including:

• Dull neck pain
• A stiff neck
• Headaches
• Radiculopathy, which may cause shock-like pains that radiate along the pathway of a nerve that runs from the neck through a shoulder, arm, wrist and hand
• Numbness and tingling sensations in one or both arms
• Progressive muscle weakness in one or both arms
• Myelopathy, which may include balance or coordination issues, leg pain and loss of bladder or bowel control

Because most bone spur symptoms have a number of possible causes, including several different spinal and neurological conditions, an accurate diagnosis is essential to finding the right treatment approach. After identifying a bone spur in the neck or diagnosing another underlying issue, a physician can recommend an appropriate treatment plan to potentially provide effective relief.

Bone spur treatment may involve surgery

Some patients ultimately elect to have surgery to address severe bone spur symptoms that continue to worsen, do not respond to conservative treatment or involve progressive neurological decline. If you’re at the point where you’re thinking about surgery to treat a bone spur in your neck, contact USA Spine Care to request a no-cost MRI review. Our team can determine if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and help you find the best treatment approach for you.