As you grow older there are several changes that happen in the body. Like any machinery, your body too suffers wear and tear. This is more evident in the parts that we use for our movements. The knees are commonly found to suffer wear and tear in many people as there is the constant use of the knee joints. Another place that suffers the same type of wear and tear is the backbone or spine. Bone spurs develop due to this wear and tear
What Are Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are growth on the bone that occurs due to wear and tear. Another reason for the development of bone spurs is osteoarthritis. These growths can occur on any bone of the body and the effects of this growth are different in different places. They are smooth projections on the bones which may not even cause any problems when they develop in certain places.
When bone spurs develop on the spine, they are likely to pinch the nerves between the vertebrae which will result in neck and shoulder pain. You can also feel difficulty in moving your arms. There can be stiffness and numbness of your hands. When the nerves in the neck region are pinched you will feel neck pain, headache, and stiffness of the neck. If the nerve lower down is the one affected then there will be a pain in the thighs and buttocks.
Diagnosing and Treating Bone Spurs
Diagnosis will start when a patient complains of the symptoms associated with the growth of bone spurs. Mostly the diagnosis can be completed with a physical examination. A neurological test will be done to find if the nerve is pinched. An X-Ray can help the doctor see the bone spurs clearly. In some cases, computer tomography or myelography is done to find out the exact location of the nerve pinching.
Treatment is done in traditional ways. Only if there is a serious problem, medication will be advised. Usually, physical therapy is recommended to make the surrounding muscles strong. This also helps in achieving a better posture which will prevent the pinching by aligning the vertebras correctly. Medicines to reduce pain and inflammation will be prescribed where necessary.
Some patients may be required to wear a neck collar for the neck to rest and allow the tissues to recover. For those who have severe pain steroid or anesthetic injections may be administered. Surgery is only the last recourse where the pain is very severe and the pinching creates neurological problems. A systematic neck pain treatment by professional therapists can help the patient get cured very fast.
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