The Vast Array of Bone Spur Symptoms

Bone spur symptoms can take a wide range of forms, and may be mild to severe. The symptoms can include pain, numbness, muscle weakness, a sensation of pins and needles, and even muscle spasms. Although a spinal bone spur itself isn't painful, symptoms can arise as a result of spinal cord or nerve root impingement. It is possible, though, for a bone spur to exist and not impinge any neural structure, in which case the aforementioned symptoms may not be felt.

Localized Pain

Typically, pain and stiffness will abound at the site of the bone spur. This is primarily due to degenerative spinal arthritis (also known as spinal osteoarthritis), which is the primary cause of a bone spurs. Most commonly, these symptoms are experienced in the lumbar (lower back) region and cervical (neck) region of the spine, respectively, where spinal arthritis is most common. The pain can increase when moving, bending, twisting, and remaining seated for extended amounts of time, and the stiffness can significantly reduce range of motion.

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is a term used to describe the sensation of radiating symptoms that affect one site in the body but are caused by an affliction at a separate site in the body. Understanding the connection between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system is crucial in understanding how radiculopathy works. The central nervous system encompasses the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of all of the nerves that travel throughout, and provide sensation and movement, to all areas of the body. These nerves take root all along the spinal cord, and it is possible for a bone spur to impinge any of the nerve roots. When a bone spur compresses a nerve root, symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, and the sensation of heat may be sent radiating into the extremities.