Can Bone Spurs Be Removed?

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are bony growths that develop along the edges of your bones. They’re usually near joints, and though they’re not always symptomatic, they can cause significant discomfort and even limit your mobility if they press on surrounding nerves or tissues.

Bone spur symptoms are common with spinal bone spurs due to their location — and they can contribute to chronic back pain, neurological symptoms, and other issues. David A. Wiles, MD, and our team specialize in pain management and minimally invasive spine surgery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and we can help you get to the bottom of your discomfort.

Here’s what you need to know about bone spurs, their treatment options, and when surgery might be a good option for you.

The basics of bone spurs

Spinal bone spurs form on the vertebrae in your spine and are often a byproduct of age-related degenerative changes like arthritis or disc degeneration. These growths develop slowly as your body attempts to repair itself in response to joint wear and tear.

Bone spurs are harmless for many people and don’t cause apparent symptoms. But sometimes, spinal bone spurs can narrow the space within your spine (a condition called spinal stenosis) and lead to painful nerve compression.

Symptoms of bone spurs in your spine can include:

• Chronic back pain
• Chronic neck pain
• Tingling, weakness, or numbness in the legs or arms 
• Reduced range of motion
• Sciatica (pain that radiates down the leg)

It’s important to note that symptoms of bone spurs can vary depending on the size and location of the bone spurs and how they compress the nerves in your spine.

Non-surgical treatment options for bone spurs

Bone spur symptoms can interfere with your quality of life, but the good news is that you have treatment options. Many people with bone spurs can find relief with conservative treatments. Common options include:

• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine and reduce pressure on the affected area
• Medication to reduce pain and mild to moderate inflammation
• Steroid injections to reduce more severe inflammation
• Lifestyle modifications, like practicing good posture and avoiding activities that exacerbate your symptoms

These treatments can effectively reduce pain and other symptoms of spinal bone spurs, but they don’t remove the bone spurs themselves. In general, we recommend trying these options before undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs.

When to consider surgery for bone spurs

Sometimes, conservative treatments fail to provide relief, or nerve compression causes severe pain, numbness, or loss of function. And in these cases, Dr. Wiles might recommend minimally invasive spine surgery to remove bone spurs.

The decision to proceed with surgery depends on the severity of your symptoms, the location of the bone spurs, and your overall health. We offer comprehensive evaluations to assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

If you choose surgery, we use small incisions and specialized tools to access the parts of your spine affected by bone spurs, then carefully remove them to treat your symptoms at the source. Minimally invasive surgery offers a lower risk of complications, faster recovery times, and reduced pain and scarring compared to traditional open surgery methods.

Surgery effectively removes the bony growths causing your symptoms, making it a good option for many people who haven’t found relief with conservative care. To find out if you’re a good candidate for bone spur removal, book a consultation with Dr. Wiles online or call us at 423-459-9800 today.