How to Mend Your Bone Spur (Osteophyte or Calcium Deposit)
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A bone spur (also known as an osteophyte) is a bony outgrowth or calcium deposit that may develop around other bone, ligaments, tendons or muscles. Often your body tries to heal itself after sustaining an injury, and when your body experiences undue stress a bone spur may develop where bones meet in your joints or where ligaments and tendons connect to bone. Essentially your body is hoping that this extra bone will help to relieve the stress placed on your other bones or tissue. Some bone spurs do not cause pain or loss in range of motion (ROM), and so it is not uncommon for a bone spur to go undetected for years.
Additional Information • Treatment Options
Common Causes
It is also important to note that Osteoarthritis (the degeneration of cartilage between major joints) is a common cause of bone spurs in many of the joints in the body.
- How to Mend Your Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative arthritis, commonly afflicts joints in the hands, feet, spine and any large weight-bearing joints (such as the hips and knees). OA is essentially the wear and tear of the cartilage of the joints, resulting in degeneration of the cartilage.
Shoulder Spurs
The rotator cuff consists of 4 small muscles situated close to the ball and socket joint of your shoulder (Glenohumeral joint). These muscles are connected individually to a group of flat tendons, which combine together and surround the front, back, and top of the shoulder joint like a cuff on a shirt.
As these tendons move they rub against your bones. Repetitive actions requiring the movement of these tendons often results in the development of bone spurs. These bone spurs are typically located in a narrow area between the top of the shoulder and the upper arm. This particular condition is common among athletes that perform repetitive arm movements (i.e. baseball players) and individuals that frequently work with their arms (i.e. painters and plasterers). Bone spurs on the shoulder can directly affect your range of motion and may cause pain, swelling and inflammation to the tendons in your shoulder.
Neck/Cervical Spurs
A neck or cervical bone spur often presses into nerves, veins or tissues around the neck or spine. These particular spurs occur primarily due to predisposing conditions such as osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, spondylosis or spinal stenosis. Neck or cervical bone spurs may make it difficult for an individual to breathe as well as swallow. These spurs may also restrict blood flow or cause extreme pain when pressed against veins or nerves. Individuals with neck or cervical spurs may experience weakness, numbness or loss of coordination in different muscular areas in their body. Elbow Spurs
An elbow spur may occur as a result of osteoarthritis or a repetitive use injury (arm movements such as pitching in baseball or serving in tennis). A bone spur in the elbow will decrease the range of motion of the arm and cause pain when straightening or bending the elbow. This condition may also cause pain, swelling or inflammation to the nerves and tissues in the elbow.How to Mend Your Olecranon (Elbow) Bursitis
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Finger Spurs
Finger spurs usually develop as a result of cartilage degeneration in the finger joints. This degeneration is a common occurrence for those individuals suffering from osteoarthritis or regular wear and tear to the joints (aging). Bone spurs in the fingers are much more noticeable than bone spurs that develop in larger joints (i.e. shoulder, hip, or knee). These spurs will cause the fingers to appear disfigured with hard bumps under the skin. These bumps will also decrease the range of motion in the fingers and cause chronic pain. Hip Spurs
Most hip spurs are caused by osteoarthritis or the degeneration of cartilage and bone at the ball and socket joint of the hip. The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body, so when the cartilage in this joint begins to degenerate the joint itself becomes fairly unstable. Bone spurs will then develop in order to provide much needed stability for the joint by increasing the surface area of the femoral head (the top of the thigh bone). Bone spurs located in this joint may cause pain and restrict range of motion. Knee Spurs
The knee is a complex hinge-like joint that connects three major bones (the femur or thigh bone, the tibia or shin bone, and the patella or kneecap). These particular bones are connected via ligaments attached to the surface of each bone (the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament, medial collateral ligament). There are also two menisci in this joint to provide additional protection and support to the articular cartilage in the knee, while aiding in the distribution of weight across the joint.
Common causes of knee spurs include injury to the menisci and osteoarthritis. Each of these conditions contribute to the degeneration of articular cartilage surrounding the femor and tibia. A knee bone spur will cause pain when straightening the leg or bending the knee, thus making actions like walking and climbing stairs very difficult. Bone spurs in this joint may also cause pain, swelling or inflammation to soft tissues.
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Heel Spurs
Heel spurs develop due to overuse/overloading of the foot or poor bio-mechanics and faulty foot structures. These spurs may vary in size and shape, though they are usually shelf-like or hook-shaped. You will most likely experience a great deal of pain when walking or placing pressure on your heels. Although you may not experience any additional symptoms, it is common for the tissue around your heel spur to become tender or inflamed. Heel spurs may lead to additional knee, hip or lower back injuries.Treatments
What Treatments are Available to Mend Your Bone Spur?
Cold Compression Therapy - The R.I.C.E. Method
Cold Compression Therapy is ideal for treatment after any sort of activity that causes any pain or swelling.
Begin R.I.C.E. treatments by resting your injury as much as possible and restrict any movement to prevent further damage. Ice the swollen area 2 to 4 times a day for approximately 15 minutes (allow for 45 minute periods between treatments). Do not apply ice directly onto your body as this may cause cryoburn (freezer burn to the skin) - use a piece of cloth, towel or compression wrap to protect your injury. Compress the area if possible by adding light pressure to minimize swelling. Finally, elevate your injury to relieve swelling and allow fluid to properly drain.
Check out Our Cold Compression/R.I.C.E. Therapy Lens
Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST)
If you are still experiencing some inflammation, and the area is no longer swollen you may want to explore the healing benefits of Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST). BFST decreases inflammation and increases blood circulation. Blood is the transport mechanism for oxygen, nutrients, water and antibodies, thus proper blood flow is essential when soothing pain caused by bone spurs. BFST is provided through the use of heat therapy which can be found in heating wrap products.
Check out Our Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy Lens
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. It is like a high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 4" below the surface of the skin. The heating and massaging effects of therapeutic ultrasound have 3 primary benefits: it can speed the healing process, reduce swelling, and heal damaged tissue softening scar tissue. Essentially, the nutrient absorption rate and blood flow within any injured tissue will be greatly enhanced through the use of an ultrasound device. Portable ultrasound therapy is recommended and administered by many doctors and physical therapists.
When applied directly to the skin, the transducer head of an ultrasound unit cannot effectively transfer sound waves into the body. A conductive medium (ultrasound gel) is required to facilitate therapeutic ultrasound.
Ultrasound can also be used to administer therapeutic medicines into the body which provides the added benefit of delivering soothing medicated gel to the site of the pain. This is a process known as Phonophoresis.
There Are Products Available on Amazon to Soothe Pain From Your Bone Spur!
Here are a few products that are available on Amazon that will soothe pain from your Bone Spur.
Surgery
When is Surgery an Option & What Surgical Prodcedures Mend Bone Spurs
During an arthroscopic procedure the surgeon will make small incisions around the joint in order to insert a small fiber optic camera into the incision. This camera will allow the surgeon to assess the damage that has been caused to your joint and the surrounding tissue. At this point the surgeon may remove calcium deposits or repair damaged tissue.
Open surgeries will have similar results and allow for the removal of any bone spurs.
It is difficult to determine the overall success of a bone spur removal surgery as it is likely that a bone spur will appear again unless the underlying condition causing the bone spur is healed during the same surgical procedure. This is a common occurrence with plantar fasciitis and rotator cuff injuries.
Extreme cases of joint pain may require joint replacement or bone fusion procedures.
Bone Spur Questions & Comments
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Happy healing! :)
One has to determine what the underlying cause of the osteophytosis is. This can range from musculoskeletal disorders, osteoarthritis, Wilson's Disease, etc.
The growth of bone spurs can be an attempt by the body to protect the joint. As wear and tear occurs and the joint cartilage degenerates, the body's natural response is to compensate for the weakened joints by producing bone spurs.
Taking that into account, a surgeon would need to determine the cause of the spurs, the amount of pain the patient is in, and also attempt to gauge whether removal of the spur would be more a short term or longer term benefit to the patient. If underlying joint issues can not be effectively dealt with, the likelihood is that a spurs would develop again at some point in the future.
Paul
MendMeShop.com
1-866-237-9608 I have had neck pain for many years. MRI shows stenosis throughout the spine and my pain management Dr. recommends a surgeon because a piece of a disc has broken off. Do not want to go that route. Hi Barbara,
There are alternatives available in terms of pain management (electromagnetic energy being one option). However, attempting to provide more of a long term solution, your doctor will take all factors into account.
There are obviously risks to any surgery that is that is something you and your surgeon need to determine. In contrast, there are risks in the status quo as well.
The best course of action would be to consult with your doctor and a surgeon to explore all options for your particular scenario.
Paul
MendMeShop.com I am a 54 male and have been told of bone spurs in my hips with arthritis. It is very painful to walk any distance. Is there anything I can do to help with the pain? My job requires a lot of walking. Thanks!! Hi there,
There are 3 effective therapies that you can use to reduce pain and inflammation and heal your tissue faster.
The Back/Hip Freezie Wrap provides cold compression for immediate relief from pain and any swelling that you may have in your hip. Use the Freezie Wrap whenever you experience pain and at the end of the day to calm inflammation. This will provide fast relief, but realize it is only a short term solution. To heal your hip and stop your pain from returning you can use therapeutic ultrasound and blood flow stimulation therapy.
Ultrasound therapy is an easy and painless way to break up any scar tissue in your hip that may have built up over time. It is often the main cause of stiffness, loss in range of motion, and discomfort. Scar tissue is tough and inflexible and causes pain because the tendon or other tissue doesn’t move as easily or as smoothly as when it is healthy. Ultrasound waves massage the tissue causing the tough scar tissue to become softer and more elastic. In addition, ultrasound helps with the repair process by drawing more blood flow to your hip which promotes healing and also reduces swelling and inflammation. The Ultrasound will not break up the bone spurs, but it will certainloy help the tissues surrounding them. Please note: Ultrasound should not be pointed towards the abdomen or genitals during hip treatments.
The Back/Hip Inferno Wrap is an incredible device that provides blood flow stimulation. This is definitely a great product to ease your hip pain and it is the best device for faster tissue healing. It increases the amount of blood flowing to the injured tissues which delivers an abundance of oxygen and nutrients and removes cell waste and toxins. While doing this the Inferno Wrap relaxes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments which feels good and helps increase elasticity and your range of motion.
If you have any further questions, please visit www.mendmyhip.com for more information about these 3 therapies or speak with use directly at 1-866-237-9608.
Best wishes,
Danieca
MendMeShop Adviser
1-877-876-4588
MendMeShop@gmail.com if surgery occurs how long will a person can resume his or her regular routine. Hi Tino,
Unfortunately, that really depends on an individual basis. There are many factors to include in the healing process after surgery.
I would speak with the doctor to get more information.
Regards,
Danieca
MendMeShop Adviser
1-877-876-4588 I'm only 24 and have had a bone spur in my shoulder which has been there since the age of 16. What underlying cause would a bone spur occur at 16? I've never had an injury to my shoulder nor do I have arthritis. Can bone spurs be caused by an abnormality in bone growth? Hi there,
When you were 16 did they do an MRI to determine it is a bone spur?
Typically bone spurs are formed by the normal ageing process, they can be caused by illness or disease, and they can be characteristics of certain conditions such as arthritis. Since you are only 24 and have not had an injury to your shoulder i do not really know what your underlining cause may be.
I would speak with your medical professionals, i am sure they would have more information for you.
Sincerely,
Danieca
MendMeShop Adviser
1-877-876-4588
by MendMeShop
MendMeShop offers several websites which feature products that provide pain relief for muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries.
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