Symptoms of bone spurs
Common conditions related to the development of
bone spurs include:
Osteoarthritis
Medical providers often refer to the changes as spinal
arthritis or osteoarthritis of the facet joints, and
this condition is a common cause of back pain in the
older patient population (over 55 or 60). This condition
can cause stiffness and lower back pain that is usually
worse in the morning, gets better after moving around,
then gets worse again at the end of the day.
The most common root cause of cervical and lumbar
arthritis is repetitive trauma to the spine from recreational
or work related excessive strains. Patients may typically
develop symptoms of osteoarthritis in their mid 40’s
to early 50’s. Men are more likely to develop
arthritic related symptoms earlier in life, however
postmenopausal women with stiffening spines (accelerated
bone spur formation) rapidly approach men in incidence
and severity of osteoarthritis.
Spinal stenosis
Also, enlargement of the bone can sometimes lead
to narrowing of the spinal canal and result in spinal
stenosis. This condition can cause nerve pinching,
leading to pain down the legs that is worse when the
patient stands and walks, and is better when sitting.
Spinal stenosis cannot be prevented but it certainly
can be cured.
Clinical symptoms of bone spurs
Back pain or neck pain is very common as the facet
joints are inflamed and the neck and back muscles become
irritated. Patients usually complain of:
-
Dull pain in the neck or lower back when they stand
or walk
-
Radiating pain into the shoulders (often including
headaches) if the cervical spine is affected, and
rear and thigh if the lumbar spine is affected
The symptoms of bone spurs are made worse with activity
and often improve with rest. Lumbar arthritis symptoms
often improve when an individual is bending forward
and flexing at the waist, such as leaning over a shopping
cart or over a cane.
As the nerves become compressed, patients with bone
spurs complain of several symptoms including:
-
Pain in one or both arms or legs
-
Numbness or tingling
-
Progressive weakness
-
If the arthritic processes and stenosis is severe,
progressive bowel and bladder dysfunction occurs
Symptoms described above can also be caused by medical
conditions other than bone spurs, such as diabetes,
poor blood circulation to the arms and legs, spinal
tumors, fractures, and spinal infections. Many of the
symptoms of bone spurs are similar to generalized arthritis,
rheumatism, back strain and muscle fatigue, as well
as acute disc ruptures with nerve compression.
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