Bone spurs or osteophytes, are bony projections that develop on the edge of bony tissue, especially close to joints. Although they do not cause direct pain or harm to a person simply by being present, osteophytes may be accompanied by debilitating symptoms. Most cases of discomfort and limited range of motion in the lower back or lower extremities are attributable to osteophyte formation, which is why timely bone spurs treatment is essential to reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent further joint complications.
What Are Bone Spurs?
In most instances, bone spurs develop as a result of the healing processes that occur after trauma or damage was incurred; therefore, the formation of bone spurs is more common with conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal degeneration, and repetitive stress injury.
Bone spurs may, however, create pressure on the surrounding tissue, muscle, or nerve. The resulting pressure may cause pain, numbness and tingling and limit the range of motion. In many cases, the long-term health and mobility of a joint will depend largely upon proper treatment and early detection of symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Bone Spurs
Not all people experience the same level of discomfort due to having bone spurs; some can have constant discomfort, while others will not be aware they have a bone spur.
The symptoms can include:
- Pain near a specific joint
- Decreased range of motion or stiffness
- Numbness or tingling if nerves are involved
- Swelling or inflammation
- Increased pain when using the affected area
Recognising the early signs of bone spurs can allow you to obtain treatment for them early enough that they do not result in permanent loss of your ability to move.
Causes and Risk Factors
Specific lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and age-related changes increase the chances of them forming.
- Age-Related Wear and Tear: Bone spurs typically develop to help protect the body when the cartilage in the joints of the body slowly wears down.
- Degenerative Joint Disease: Joint degenerative diseases can cause abnormal growth of bone because of the increased friction that occurs between the bones.
- Bad Posture and Poor Alignment: When a person maintains bad posture for long periods of time, they place uneven amounts of stress on their various joints.
- Repetitive Motion: People who do repetitive movement in their work or recreational activities can produce joint discomfort over time.
- Previous Injuries: Injuries that cause trauma to bones or joints can lead to abnormal healing and spur development.
- Excessive body weight: Weight gain puts more strain on weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and feet.
- Pregnancy and postpartum changes: Proper postpartum care is crucial for musculoskeletal health since hormonal changes and postural changes during and after pregnancy can increase joint stress.
Non-Surgical Bone Spurs Treatment Options
Surgery is not essential for most people who have a bone spur. Many people experience relief of discomfort and improvement in their mobility with noninvasive conservative types of bone spurs treatment.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic treatment focuses on providing the correct alignment of the joints and relieving pressure on the nerves. When you gently manipulate the spine and joints, this will help improve the mobility patterns.
Alive Chiropractic clinics use a specific method of treatment to treat a person’s underlying mechanical cause of pain rather than simply relieving the symptoms of pain.
Exercise and physical therapy
Targeted exercise programs improve range of motion and decrease joint stress as well as strengthen the supporting muscles. Stretching programs are a good way to manage the bone spurs of the feet and back.
Healthy lifestyle changes
Weight control, ergonomic modifications, and proper posture are recommended to reduce joint stress. These changes typically accompany other types of treatment for bone spurs.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Improve Mobility
Chiropractic care provides an individual with better spinal alignment and the proper function of the joints.
The additional benefits of a chiropractic visit on a regular basis include:
- A higher level of mobility
- Nerve compression reduction
- Improved posture and balance
- Total enhancement of the musculoskeletal system
Chiropractors provide preventative treatment for the deterioration of the joints and as a way to promote long-term mobility improvement through therapeutic alignment.
Bone Spurs and Postpartum Care
Women can suffer from many different physical changes after giving birth. These may include physical decreases in weight, changes in hormones, and changes in posture, which create excess stress on their spine and joints. If left untreated, these stresses can create joint problems or chronic pain for the woman at a later age in her life.
Postpartum chiropractic care focuses are:
- Providing treatment that restores alignment, supports core stability, and relieves stress on the joints.
- For the women with pain in their hips and/or back, this proactive approach may reduce their pain and, at the same time, provide for long-term health of the spine.
When Is Surgery Considered?
Most physicians will only recommend surgery when conservative treatments have failed. Surgical intervention may be warranted when severe pain caused by bone spurs hampers a person’s ability to complete daily activities and/or when there is significant nerve compression.
For many people, however, a non-surgical bone spur treatment can provide pain relief if treatment is commenced early on.
Choosing the Right Care for Bone Spurs
The most vital thing you can do for yourself is to find a doctor who has an in-depth understanding of spinal biomechanics and joint health. A customised plan to address the cause of your pain will be more effective than just masking your symptoms with medications, ice packs, etc.
Natural Healing, Patient-Centred Care, and Patient Education are the foundations for Alive Chiropractic; as such, chiropractors utilise chiropractic care to help individuals recover from conditions like bone spurs by focusing on restoring proper alignment, improving range of motion, and achieving durable wellness.
Final Thoughts
Bone spurs do not need to define how you feel and function each day. You can improve pain relief, improve movement by using the right treatments along with making changes in lifestyle to find the correct balance of therapies and specialists.
Whether you need chiropractic support after giving birth or are struggling with joint pain due to ageing, when you first suspect that you may have an issue, you need to take action immediately. After you start to receive proper treatment for alignment and proper movement patterns, you will make progress toward becoming more active and live a healthier tomorrow.
Key Points to Remember
1. Bone spurs are common, and most people do not need surgery to treat them effectively.
2. Pain is often caused by pressure placed upon surrounding tissue or nerves.
3. A chiropractor can relieve the pressure placed upon a nerve by applying the right adjustment technique to promote proper alignment.
4. Early intervention is critical for the long-term health of your joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can bone spurs disappear on their own?
Most of the time, when patients receive medical treatment for Bone Spurs, they see a drop in the amount of pain experienced and improve their function without having to undergo surgery.
2. What is the duration of treatment?
A patient’s treatment course will vary based on the location of the Bone Spur and the severity it presents. Some patients may require treatment for a longer period of time to obtain permanent relief, while others can get relief in a matter of weeks.
3. Can bone spurs be safely treated with chiropractic care?
Yes, Chiropractic treatment is generally safe for treating Bone Spurs if performed by a licensed Professional. Each patient receives treatment that is individualised to the patient’s specific needs. Treatment plans will usually involve some small changes designed to relieve the stress added to the affected joint.