An Overview of a Bone Spur in the Back

A bone spur in the lower back is an excess bony growth that has developed on one of the spinal bones known as a vertebra. A spinal bone spur can form when the bare bone of one vertebra rubs against bare bone of another vertebra. In a healthy spine, the joint where two adjacent vertebrae meet and move is coated in a smooth, thin layer of cartilage. However, this cartilage can wear down over time for a handful of reasons, and when it wears down it can leave the two adjacent vertebrae rubbing, grinding, and placing strong pressure and friction on one another while articulating.

Why is The Lower Back a Common Location for Bone Spurs?

The lumbar region (lower back) of the spine serves as a focal point of the upper body's weight distribution. The entire spine serves as the primary support structure for the upper body, and the lower back is tasked with carrying the majority of this weight. Also, the lower region of the spine is responsible for controlling common body movements. Bending and twisting at the waist both place pressure on the lumbar spine and require a great deal of articulation between adjacent vertebrae. The combination of weight bearing and frequent movement can eventually wear away at the cartilage-coated facet joints in the lower back and cause a bone spur to form.

Sciatica and the Sciatic Nerve

A bone spur in the lower back can actually send symptoms all throughout the lower body. The explanation for this is the presence of the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the largest and longest in the body, and it spans from the pelvic region down into each leg, where it gives rise to subsidiary nerves that travel throughout the legs, feet, and even into the toes. And when the sciatic nerve is impinged by a bone spur in the lower back, symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, a sensation of heat, and a feeling of pins and needles can radiate into the hips, buttocks, legs, and feet. Collectively, these symptoms are known as sciatica.