Bony spurs in neck, colored X-ray. Bony spurs (osteophytes) grow from the vertebrae as a normal part of the aging process. They stabilize the spine when the discs of cartilage between the vertebrae shrink and become less flexible.
Bone spurs and their causes are often misunderstood. These excess bone growths, also known as osteophytes, are created by your body in response to pressure applied to the normal bone structure. There are numerous bone spurs causes that lead to the growth of osteophytes in the spine, such as:
- Aging – Bone spurs can be a normal part of aging as your body creates them to add stability to joints. Bone spurs themselves do not necessarily hurt, but over 40 percent of people will experience nerve impingement due to the development of bone spurs.
- Osteoarthritis – This is a joint disorder that causes the cushioning (cartilage) between the bone joints to wear away, leading to bone spurs.
- Degenerative Disc Disease – This is a gradual deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine.
- Traumatic injury and poor posture – These also can be potential bone spurs causes and can lead to spine bone spurs.
- And more
Simple practices can keep your neck and back healthy and can help you avoid common bone spur causes. For example, by performing simple stretching routines and improving posture, you can increase the strength and flexibility of your neck and back.
In addition, one of the easiest ways to prevent the development of osteophytes is to know what the bone spurs causes are. We suggest you take a few moments to read the information our experts at Laser Spine Institute have provided on this website, as it may save you from years of debilitating back pain. Furthermore, it is important to be aware of bone spur symptoms, as this knowledge can help you and your physician diagnose any potential problems.
Finally, you may be interested in learning about treatment options for osteophytes if any of the bone spur causes have resulted in problems in your neck or back. While there are a number of basic options your doctor might recommend, including rest, exercise, weight loss, physical therapy, and medications, sometimes surgery is needed. Many traditional, open back procedures for relieving the effects of bone spurs leave patients with potentially lengthy and painful recovery processes; however, the state-of-the-art, minimally invasive outpatient procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute are highly successful, require a much shorter recuperation period, and run a lesser risk of infection. Contact us today for a complimentary MRI or CT scan review and to learn more about our innovative procedures, surgical centers, and streamlined patient experience.
