What are bone spurs?
Also known as osteophytes, bone spurs are bony projections that form at the joints (facet joints) where bones meet each other. Neck pain as well as radiating pain in the shoulders is the typical symptoms of bone spurs if the person has cervical bone spurs or cervical osteophytes (osteophytes in the neck region). The main cause of bone spurs is osteoarthritis. Other major reason for the formation of bone spurs is spinal stenosis – a disorder that leads to the narrowing of the spinal canal.
When do bone spurs begin to cause problems?
Often bone spurs can go undetected for years with the patient feeling no obvious discomfort from them. However, these bone spurs can cause some serious back pain as well as neck pain when inflammation of facet joints occur and the back as well as neck muscles become pinched and irritated. When the nerve roots are compressed the patient starts showing neurological symptoms that include:
- Pain in one or both the arms as well as shoulders
- Pain in legs and buttocks
- Numbness and tingling sensation in one arm or leg that can trickle down to the other one
- Weakness in shoulder arms and leg region that progresses with time
- Bowel and bladder incontinence- this is a rare situation but one that needs immediate medical attention
Why surgical treatment would be necessary?
Although bone spurs can be treated using non-operative care options. In certain cases this type of treatment does not show any improvement in the symptoms and the patient’s condition may take a turn for the worse even disabling him to do simple work. This is when surgery is preferred by neck surgeons. Laminectomy is one such cervical spine surgery technique that removes the problem causing bone spurs that help in relieving the pain and neurological symptoms.
Surgery is a big decision that needs an experts handling and guidance. Be sure to seek the best health care professionals in the field of spinal surgery as well as the best neck surgery center.
Let us help you make the right decision for your spine by filling the form given above or by giving us a call at (888) 779-8716 today.
