How to Get Rid of Bone Spurs in the Neck
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony growths that form on existing bone and, most often, in bone joints. Sometimes bone spurs can be a symptom of other conditions in your body, and they are often associated with osteoarthritis. As your cartilage wears down in joints affected by osteoarthritis, bone spurs will grow to repair damage.
Although bone spurs can form on any bone in the body, the neck is one of the most common areas. In the condition called "cervical spondylosis," osteoarthritis and bone spurs work together to deteriorate the bones in the neck.
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Instructions
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SYMPTOMS
Generally, there are no symptoms associated with bone spurs, and they can exist for years before being diagnosed, usually in conjunction with X-rays for another condition. However, they can cause pain if they are applying pressure to muscles, tissue or bones and may require treatment.
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CAUSE
More common in people over the age of 50, bone spurs often form because of osteoarthritis and the increased degeneration in joints and discs it causes, a condition that is often part of the normal aging process. Bone spurs try to help the body heal itself by adding extra bone, normally where bones meet each other. But they can also form where ligaments and tendons meet bone and on your spine. Other conditions, such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, plantar fasciitis and spinal stenosis, are often indicative of bone spur formation.
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DIAGNOSIS
As bone spurs rarely cause problems, it is more common to discover their existence when the doctor X-rays for other conditions. Common types of X-ray procedures are the standard X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Bone spurs can also cause loss of range of motion in the neck and pain in your joints.
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TREATMENT
Treatment will depend on the location of the bone spur and whether it is causing pain or an adverse affect on your health. Often the first course of treatment is physical therapy combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. A corticosteroid injection to the affected area may also be prescribed. Ultrasound and deep tissue massage are often helpful in the neck area. If more conservative treatments are ineffective, surgery may be considered. Bone spurs can be removed, but this is often done during more comprehensive surgery for arthritis. Surgery can be done as an "open surgery," where the surgeon cuts around the joint to expose the area, or arthroscopically, where several small incisions are made to insert the surgical tools.
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SELF-CARE AT HOME
Perform stretching exercises, take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, and apply heat to alleviate the symptoms. Your physical therapist can provide you with the appropriate exercises.
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Tips & Warnings
As bone spurs are often a natural part of the aging process, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. Staying active and physically fit can sometimes aid in alleviating symptoms.
