Commonly found in the neck and back, bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are excess bone growths that the body might create for a number of reasons. These can include age, arthritis, disc degeneration, poor posture, traumatic injury and other causes to stabilize jointed areas of the body. While the term “spur” often creates images of something pointy or sharp, bone spurs are actually smooth growths that don’t necessarily cause any pain or other problems. In fact, bone spurs are a very common occurrence as you get older. Read on to learn about the symptoms and cause of this debilitating condition.

Symptoms of neck and back bone spurs

While bone spurs may not cause any problems on their own, neck or back bone spurs can sometimes grow to the point where they pinch nerves or other bones, causing the possibility of a number of issues arising. When neural compression or bone-on-bone contact occurs as a result of bone spurs, a patient may experience:

• Severe neck or back pain
• Restricted movement
• Numbness
• Radiating arm or leg pain
• Weakness in the extremities
• In some cases, disability

Treatments for neck and back bone spurs

If you have been experiencing any symptoms that might lead you to believe neck or back bone spurs might be to blame, be sure to consult your physician. An X-ray can determine the existence of bone spurs and whether they are causing any problems. Treatment options for bone spurs include medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, pain medications, cortisone injections, physical therapy, exercise and even surgery in severe cases.

Certain surgical treatments for bone spur relief are invasive and can result in lengthy recovery times. However, with the innovative, minimally invasive procedures performed at USA Spine Care, you can experience relief from the pain of neck and back bone spurs quickly, with faster recovery and less chance of infection than with open spine surgery.^ For more information about our minimally invasive procedures and surgery centers, contactus today.

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. Our dedicated team performs our minimally invasive spine surgery in state-of-the-art facilities that are built around patient-centered care. To find out if you are a candidate for our outpatient procedures, reach out to USA Spine Care today and ask for your no-cost MRI review.* We are here to help guide you on your journey through wellness.

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