Bone spurs are formed as a result of a worn out disc creating large bone protrusions in the spine. This condition is often not symptomatic, as bone spurs are generally harmless. However, if the bone spur causes lower back pain and leads to compression of the nerves in your spine, this can lead to debilitating symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Therefore, is important to be informed about the possible treatment regimens available to help ease your symptoms.

What treatments may be recommended for lower back pain caused by bone spurs?

If your bone spur causes lower back pain and begins to show symptoms, the first step in finding relief is to have a doctor perform a physical exam, followed by imaging scans, in order to accurately diagnose your condition and come up with a treatment regimen that is best suited for you.

A possible treatment plan backed by your doctor may include:

1. Lifestyle changes. A bone spur that causes lower back pain can typically be alleviated by weight management and quitting bad habits. If you are overweight, shedding those excess pounds and maintaining a balanced diet will help with taking the pressure off your spine and relieving nerve compression. Cutting out unhealthy habits such as smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can also benefit your spinal health by increasing the flow of oxygen-rich blood in your body.
2. Pain medication. Epidural steroid injections from a pain management physician may be recommended to reduce swelling and lower back pain caused by bone spurs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be used to relieve pain and inflammation. However, if over-the-counter medications do not provide adequate relief, muscle relaxants may then be suggested.
3. Physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you improve cardiovascular and core muscle strength. Certain techniques that you may attempt in physical therapy may include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), massage therapy, hot and cold therapy and training to help you stretch and strengthen the muscles that support your spine. This will assist in relieving the nerve pressure from a bone spur that causes lower back pain.
4. Low impact exercises. Certain low-impact exercises may be beneficial in strengthening the muscles in the spine and easing your lower back pain caused by bone spurs. This may include, swimming, walking or bicycling so that less pressure is placed on the spinal vertebra that is affected by bone spurs. Prior to performing these exercises, it is important to talk to your doctor to make sure that you do not exacerbate your condition.
5. Spine surgery. In the instance that the above nonsurgical therapies are not effective in relieving your symptoms after several weeks or months, surgical intervention may then become an option. If this is the case for you, contact USA Spine Care to learn about the types of minimally invasive surgery we offer to help treat bone spurs causing lower back pain. Our outpatient procedures offer a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^

Learn more about minimally invasive bone spur surgery

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. To treat a bone spur that causes lower back pain, our board-certified surgeons+ will use a small incision and muscle-sparing techniques in order to remove a small portion of the bone spur that is causing your discomfort or, in more severe cases, an artificial disc or device may be placed in the spine to stabilize the surrounding vertebrae.

Reach out to our dedicated team today to learn more about our procedures and ask for a no-cost MRI review so we can determine if you are a potential candidate for our minimally invasive spine surgery. We are here to help you move to the next step on your journey to wellness.