Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are extra growths on the bones. These smooth growths are quite common in people over the age of 60, and they aren’t harmful unless they become too large. When bone spurs become too big, they can begin to press on spinal nerves.
Bone spurs can be caused by:
Like many conditions that cause back pain, bone spurs become more common with age. Fortunately, they can be treated by the specialists at The Spine Care Center in Manassas.
When a bone spur begins to irritate or press on a nerve, you may experience symptoms such as:
If you experience any of these symptoms, then contact The Spine Care Center for an evaluation.
When you make an appointment with The Spine Care Center, your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms, such as when they first began and if anything makes them worse. Next, the spine specialist will perform a physical exam. They may ask you to do some simple movements or exercises. Finally, your doctor may order imaging tests to look for bone spurs. You may need an X-ray, CT scans, or an MRI.
Your doctor may also order a test called electromyography (EMG). During this test, they will put small pieces of metal, called electrodes, on your muscles. These electrodes record the nerve signals in your body. Your doctor will ask you to squeeze certain muscles during the test so they can check to see if nerve signals are being sent and received properly. This test may tell your doctor if your spine nerves are damaged, possibly by a bone spur.
All of these tests help the doctor determine what issues are causing your symptoms, whether they are caused by bone spurs or some other condition of the spine.
The experienced team at The Spine Care Center uses a patient-centered approach to make an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. Thanks to their commitment to comfortable and conservative care, our fellowship-trained physicians are regularly recognized as Top Doctors by the Washingtonian magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine. We strive to help you avoid surgery whenever possible; in fact, most of our patients find pain relief without spine surgery. Your treatment may begin with safe, nonsurgical options such as:
If the pain gets worse, or if you have difficulty using your limbs, then our expert spine surgeons can perform minimally invasive surgeries to treat bone spurs. During this procedure, the surgeon will remove the bone spur and any thickened ligaments around the vertebra. This will relieve pressure on the nerve, providing you with long-term pain relief.
Find relief from back pain so you can live the life you love. Call The Spine Care Center in Manassas today or request an appointment online to take the first step toward relief.