A bone spur is a bony protrusion that forms on the vertebrae as a result of the natural aging process. As we get older, the joints in our spine begin to dry out and wear. In an attempt to stabilize the bone-on-bone contact caused by this deterioration, a bone spur will develop. If the bone spur compresses a nerve root or spinal cord, then it may lead to neck or back pain, as well as numbness, tingling or weakness in the extremities. There are a variety of bone spur treatments described in the following article that can help to relieve the symptoms associated with this condition.

Conservative bone spur treatments

Typically, it is first recommended to begin a course of conservative treatments before attempting surgical intervention. For instance, the following treatments may be effective in easing the pain and discomfort associated with bone spurs:

• Pain medication
• Anti-inflammatories
• Muscle spasm medication
• Chiropractic manipulation
• Physical therapy
• Low-impact exercises
• Acupuncture
• Epidural steroid injections

However, if your symptoms do not improve or your condition worsens after several weeks or months of conservative bone spur treatment, then you may require surgery to relieve your condition.

Surgical bone spur treatments

As you are researching your surgical options for bone spur treatment, consider the minimally invasive procedures performed at USA Spine Care. As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, we have performed more than 75,000 patient procedures since 2005. Our procedures use small incisions that are muscle sparing, allowing for a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ To learn more about the advantages of our outpatient surgery, contact our dedicated team today.

At USA Spine Care, we offer a variety of minimally invasive bone spur treatments, including a laminotomy, foraminotomy, discectomy or facet thermal ablation performed most often in conjunction with a decompression surgery. To find out if you are a potential candidate for the surgery performed at our state-of-the-art facilities throughout the country, reach out to USA Spine Care and ask for a free MRI review.* We are here to help you recapture your quality of life from your bone spur symptoms.