Spinal bone spurs are small growths that develop near the joints of the spine as a natural stabilizing response to increased friction due to conditions like arthritis of the spine or degenerative disc disease.

While bone spurs do not always produce symptoms, sometimes the growth can compress a nearby nerve root and cause the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Muscle weakness or numbness
• Tingling
• Pins-and-needles feeling
• Burning sensation or warmth

If you’re suffering from these symptoms and you’ve been diagnosed with bone spurs, there are several treatment options available to you to help reduce your pain. The first step toward pain relief is to schedule an appointment with your doctor to complete a physical exam. This physical exam, combined with knowledge about the cause and severity of your condition, will help your doctor recommend an appropriate treatment option to help you get back to your daily activities.

Addressing the symptoms with conservative bone spur treatment

Conservative treatment is generally the first recommendation for bone spur pain. These treatments may include:

• Medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Intermittent periods of rest
• Physical therapy
• Moderate exercise
• Cortisone injections

The goal is to reduce the pressure from the bone spur on the compressed nerve and block the pain receptors that travel from the nerve root to the brain.

Consider all of the surgical options before making a decision

In many cases, conservative bone spur treatment can effectively relieve pain after just a few months of therapy. But if pain persists, surgery can become a serious consideration.

For patients researching their surgical options, USA Spine Care offers an outpatient alternative to traditional open neck or back procedures. Our minimally invasive spine surgery offers patients a lower risk of infection and complication as well as a shorter recovery time^ through our use of muscle-sparing techniques.

For more information, contact USA Spine Care today. You can ask for your free MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.

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