When it comes to spinal bone spur treatment, one of the first things to remember is that there are many options. A wide range of nonsurgical therapeutic methods are available, so it is important for you and your doctor to create a plan that works for you. Make sure conservative treatment options have been thoroughly exhausted before you begin to consider surgery — a large number of patients are able to find lasting relief from bone spurs without the need for a surgical procedure.

Overview of spinal bone spur treatment

The term bone spur can be a little misleading since people often visualize a sharp protrusion. Instead, most bone spurs are smooth, rounded growths of bone. A bone spur itself isn’t symptomatic and many people have them without knowing it. Problems can arise when a bone spur interferes with joint mobility or irritates a nearby nerve or soft tissue. When this happens in the spine, the most common symptoms are localized pain, joint stiffness as well as shooting pain, tingling and numbness in the extremities.

People often think that to treat a bone spur, it must be removed surgically. However, many patients choose to manage spinal bone spur symptoms with conservative, nonsurgical treatment options. The goal of conservative treatment is to relieve the associated discomfort while improving mobility and overall spine health.

Here are some examples of spinal bone spur treatment options often used with great success:

• Low-impact exercises like walking or swimming
• Stretching and strengthening exercises like Pilates and yoga
• Hot/cold compresses
• Posture improvement
• Nutritional and weight management counseling
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other medication
• Physical therapy

Exploring surgery to treat spinal bone spurs

In order to determine the most appropriate treatment method for you, continue working with your doctor or spine specialist. If weeks and months of treatment are attempted and you are still unable to comfortably engage in everyday activity, surgery can become an option.

As a safer and effective alternative to traditional open neck or back procedures to treat bone spurs, USA Spine Care provides minimally invasive spine surgery.^ Our procedures are performed on an outpatient basis with a less than 1-inch incision, which helps to lower the risk of complications compared to traditional open spine surgery.

To learn, contact our caring and dedicated team today. We are happy to offer a no-cost review of your MRI* to help determine if you are a candidate for one of our procedures.