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What You Should Know About Bone Spurs and Back Pain
The name “bone spurs” sounds painful, but most cases often have no symptoms. Bone spurs are smooth projections that extend from your bones, and they usually meet where two bones meet in a joint. Bone spurs form through a process called osteophytosis. It is more common after the age of 60. However, younger adults can develop bone spurs as well. Osteoarthritis is a risk factor for bone spurs. If you have it, you should know the symptoms to look out for and when to seek treatment.
Clinical symptoms of bone spurs
Neck or back pain is common when the spinal cord or the nerve roots are irritated. It also occurs when the facet joints of the spine are inflamed. Bone spurs can cause this irritation and inflammation.
Symptoms related to bone spurs:
- Develop slowly over time
- Worsen with activity
- Improve with rest
The symptoms that each person experiences depend on where the bone spurs are located.
Bone spurs in the cervical spine (neck)
Depending on where the bone spurs are located in the neck, the patient may notice the following:
- Achy and dull pain in the neck that gets better with rest
