Understanding How a Bone Spur Causes Pain and Other Symptoms

A bone spur causes an array of symptoms if it comes into contact with the spinal cord or any of the various nerve roots in the neck and back. When a bone spur impinges the spinal cord or aggravates a nerve root, symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms can radiate along the length of the nerve and into the extremities. Sometimes, though, a bone spur will not impinge any other element of the spinal anatomy, in which case symptoms won't arise.

Basic Spinal Anatomy and Bone Spur Causes

The spine is primarily composed of bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are separated by cylindrical, flexible intervertebral discs for the majority of the spine's length. The discs are responsible for separating and cushioning the bones, as well as absorbing the forces exerted on the spine and providing the spine with some flexibility. As discs deteriorate and shrink in height, the vertebrae on either side of the disc move closer to one another. Eventually, the cartilage coating the facet joints where the bones meet can wear away, leaving bare bone to grind against bare bone. As a natural stabilizing response to this abnormal grinding motion, the facet joints may form small, smooth bony growths that can constrict the spinal canal, impinge the spinal cord, and irritate nearby nerve roots.

Relieving Symptoms of a Bone Spur

Though bony growths usually won't regress on their own, it is possible to mitigate the symptoms that a bone spur causes. Seeing your doctor for a proper diagnosis is the first step on the road to symptom relief. Your doctor will likely provide you with a list of treatment options available to you. Also, if the doctor feels a bone spur is linked to specific causes that you can control - such as being overweight, having poor posture, or not exercising enough - you may be told to make some permanent lifestyle changes. However, these treatment methods are not actually aimed at removing the bone spur. Instead, the treatments your doctor advises and prescribes for you should minimize your symptoms and reduce your risk for future complications.