Spinal Bone Spurs

Bone spurs have a somewhat misleading name. These bony growths are actually smooth projections that stick out from normal bone and often occur with age. Also called osteophytes, bone spurs can grow anywhere throughout the body but are most often found in spinal structures. Spinal bone spurs typically grow along the edge of facet joints where vertebrae meet each other or on the bones of the spine. These bony growths can develop at any level of the spinal column — in the neck, middle back or lower back.

Not every spinal bone spur causes back pain. However, these projections can cramp the space of nearby structures, including spinal nerves and the spinal cord, leading to painful symptoms.

Nearly 40% of older adults experience spinal bone spur symptoms painful enough to warrant treatment. At DISC, our highly skilled orthopedic surgeons specialize in a wide range of treatment options that aim to reduce the inflammation and pain produced by spinal bone spurs. After ensuring an accurate diagnosis using our Personalized Pain Diagnostics (PPD), we usually start with a nonoperative range of treatment options, such as:

• Specialized joint manipulation to reduce pressure on the nerves
• Pain medication
• Therapeutic injections

While some patients benefit from conservative treatment methods, if the bone spur is pressing on a nerve or interfering with your normal ability to function, spinal bone spur removal surgery may be necessary. The orthopedic surgeons at DISC in the Phoenix, AZ area are leaders in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, including endoscopic spine surgery.