Osteophytes (bone spurs)

What is an osteophyte?

Osteophytes, or bone spurs, are hard, bony lumps that grow on the ends of your bones or around your joints, where two bones meet.

Some people don’t experience any symptoms, but they can cause pain, stiffness, numbness and weakness.

What causes osteophytes?

Bone spurs often form as a result of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can damage your cartilage, making it harder for your joints to move smoothly. When the body tries to repair the damage, it can lead to the development of bony growths.

Where do osteophytes usually form?

They can develop anywhere, but osteophyte formation is most common in the:

• Shoulder

• Knee

• Neck

• Lower back

• Fingers or big toe

• Foot or heel

What are the symptoms of osteophytes?

Osteophytes don’t always cause symptoms, but they can press against other bones or tissue, pinch nerves and reduce movement.

General symptoms can include:

• Pain or stiffness in the affected joint, especially when you try to bend or move it

• Spasms, cramps, or weakness in your muscles

• Tingling, weakness and numbness in your arms or legs

The specific symptoms you experience can depend on what part of your body is affected. For example, you might get:

• Back pain and stiffness if you have osteophytes in your spine

• Painful, numb, or weak arms, caused by bone spurs in the neck squeezing nearby nerves

• Pain when you bend or extend your leg, due to bone spurs in your knee

• Pain moving your hip, or sometimes in your knee, if you have bones spurs in your hip

How are osteophytes diagnosed?

See the doctor if you’re experiencing joint pain or stiffness, numbness, or nerve pain. They will ask you more about your symptoms, look at your medical history and examine the affected area. This might include tests to assess your joint movement and muscle strength.

Other tests that might be recommended include:

• X-ray – A scan that uses electromagnetic waves to create an image of the inside of your body and can help to show bone spurs and arthritis in your joints

• MRI – A scan that uses magnetic fields and radio waves and is especially useful for examining torn ligaments or tendons

How are osteophytes treated?

It’s not usually possible to prevent bone spurs caused by arthritis, but you can take steps to prevent them being caused by other things. For example:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones healthy

• Wear well-fitted shoes that have enough room around the toes and a good arch support

• Maintain a healthy body weight

• Do plenty of weight-bearing exercise, like walking and running

How can Livi help?

A Livi doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. They’ll make an individual assessment, recommend a treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed.