Bone Spur Symptoms 

Bone spur is an extra bone that grows on the normal bone. In medical jargon bone spur is known as osteophytes. It occurs on the joints especially on the joints of the spine, feet, shoulders, hips, hands and knees. Bone spur itself does not cause any pain but it can cause pain when it rubs against other bones and nerves around it. Bone spur is quite common among people above 60 years of age and is an indication of spine degeneration. Bone spurs are actually quite a common problem that could afflict most people. Bone spurs are not really preventable and often affect joints and bones like the heel, foot, elbow, knee, neck, shoulder, ankle, and hips, which is why information on bone spur treatment and bone spur removal surgery is so sought after. There are many who chose not to opt for bone spur treatment or surgical procedures, particularly when the symptoms of bone spurs are mild. In such scenarios home treatments and remedies for bone spurs can come in handy to manage and minimize the symptoms.



So What Exactly is a Bone Spur?



A bone spur is actually a calcium growth that develops like a deposit on the bone, building up to create pressure on the surrounding tissue and skin. Bone spurs in themselves would not be painful if not for their effects on surrounding tissue, muscle and ligaments. Bone spurs in the joint bones can be particularly painful for this reason. Bone spurs most often develop on the bones in the feet, which is probably why most of us are familiar with heel spurs. Bone spurs can however develop on any bone in the body. Heel spurs are however most easily identified because the symptoms are a lot more severe and pronounced. This is because the heels bear the entire weight of the body, thereby increasing the pressure and intensifying the pain.



Although bone spurs can develop in almost anyone there is a higher incidence of bone spurs developing in the heels among overweight individuals, pregnant women, or athletes whose heels are subjected to high and possibly excessive stress from jumping or running. In the general population however, bone spurs are a lot more likely to develop in individuals over the age of 60, occurring mostly along joints, particularly on the spine, feet, hips, knees and the shoulders. Bone spurs generally indicate some sort of bone degeneration, as they tend to occur when there is surface damage around or in joints.



Symptoms of bone spurs could vary greatly in intensity and frequency depending on the location of the bone spur, with them even going unnoticed in many instances. In cases with observable symptoms bone spurs usually cause pain in the back, shoulders and neck, in the thighs, arms or in the feet and legs. Although there are various possible causes the condition may be attributed to poor nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle, accidents and sporting injuries. Bone spurs are age related, but they are also a lot more prevalent among women as they age, probably because of depleting calcium levels and changes in bone density.

Symptoms for Bone spur

Pain in Back and Neck

Pain in Shoulders

Pain in Thigh, Arms and Legs

Bone Spur Symptoms

Causes for Bone spur

Bone Spur Causes

Bone spurs are usually a result of some underlying condition, most often osteoarthritis. The cartilage loss and degradation causes your body to attempt to fix the situation by generating new bone structures along the edges of existing bone. Some diseases and condition that could cause the development of bones spurs include diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. This causes the development of bony growths on the spinal ligaments. Conditions like plantar fasciitis, spondylosis and spinal stenosis are some other common causes of bone spurs. Bone spurs could also develop as part of the natural aging process, independently and irrespective of any other health conditions.



Bone spur is mainly found in people suffering from osteoarthritis. Body of an osteoarthritis patient always attempts to cover up the loss done by osteoarthritis by breaking down the cartilage in bone joints. To cover up this loss, the body creates new bones along the affected bones. In the elderly, the reason for bone spur is that their body creates extra bone to provide stability to their aging joints. Bone spur is also a symptom of diseases like spondylosis, plantar fasciitis, spondylosis and spinal stenosis. Nutrition, lifestyle, accidents and sport injuries are some factors that can accelerate bone spur.



In some situations bone spurs may actually be beneficial as they could lend support and stability to aging joints and bones, redistributing weight and protecting areas of cartridge.

Remedies for Bone spur

Remedy for Inflammation

First step for treating bone spur through home remedies is to reduce inflammation. Apply an ice pack to the inflamed area 4 to 5 times in a day. This will help to reduce the inflammation. If the problem is more severe then apply heating pad on the inflamed area.

Use Curcumin and Flaxseed

Curcumin, the yellow pigment of turmeric is effective in treating bone spur. Take 500 to 1000 mg of curcumin 3 to 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Try this remedy daily for about 6 weeks. To relieve pain, apply flaxseed hot pack to the affected area. Take alternate hot and cold foot baths.

Use Cheese Cloth

Dip a piece of cheese cloth in warm linseed oil and keep the cloth on the affected area. Cover the cloth with plastic and keep a heating pad on the plastic for 2 hours.

Diet for Bone spur

Bone Spur Diet

There is no particular diet to be followed for bone spur.

Suggestions for Bone spur

Take Rest

Strenuous activity aggravates the pain. It is advisable to take rest to ease the pain. Avoid wearing flat shoes.