Spinal Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)

Bone spurs are small bony growths that develop on the edges of the spine as part of normal aging or in response to arthritis. Many spurs cause no symptoms at all. When they narrow the space around nerves or the spinal cord, they can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness that often responds well to treatment.

What's happening in your spine

When a joint or disc in the spine wears down, the body tries to stabilize the area by laying down extra bone. These extra bits of bone are called osteophytes, or bone spurs. They tend to form at the edges of vertebrae and around the small facet joints. Trouble starts when a spur grows into a space that a nerve or the spinal cord is traveling through.

Common symptoms

• Often no symptoms at all — many spurs are found incidentally on imaging
• Local neck or back pain and stiffness when associated with arthritis
• Radiating arm or leg pain, numbness, or tingling if a nerve is compressed
• Hand clumsiness, balance problems, or trouble walking if the spinal cord is compressed
• Headaches at the base of the skull (with cervical spurs)

Causes & risk factors

The leading cause is age-related wear of the discs and joints (spondylosis). Other contributors include prior spine injury, scoliosis or other deformity, repetitive heavy work, and inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis.

How it's diagnosed

X-rays clearly show bone spurs and overall spine alignment. MRI is the best test when symptoms suggest a pinched nerve or spinal cord pressure, because it shows the soft tissues and nerve compression in detail. CT may be added to see the bone in three dimensions, especially when planning treatment.

Treatment options

Most patients with bone spurs do well without surgery.

• Physical therapy targeting flexibility, strength, and posture
• NSAIDs and short courses of stronger pain medication when needed
• Activity modification — changing how, not whether, you stay active
• Image-guided epidural or selective nerve root injections to calm an irritated nerve
• Weight management and smoking cessation, which both reduce spine pain

Surgery is considered when a bone spur is causing significant nerve or spinal cord compression with symptoms that limit your life and have not improved with non-surgical care. The procedure removes the spur and any associated tissue pressing on the nerve, sometimes combined with a small stabilization.

When to see a specialist

See a spine specialist for persistent neck or back pain, radiating arm or leg pain, new weakness or numbness, or new problems with balance, fine motor skills, or walking.