Osteophyte (bone spur)
What causes osteophytes?
Osteophytes tend toform when the joints have been affected by arthritis.
Osteoarthritis damages cartilage, which is the tough, white, flexible tissue that lines the bones and allows the joints to move easily.
Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in the knees, hips, spineand small joints of the hands and base of the big toe.
As thejointsbecome increasingly damaged, new bone may form around the joints. These bony growths are called osteophytes.
Osteophytescan also form in the spineas a result of ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that specifically affects the spine).
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out about osteophytes, which are bony lumps (bone spurs) that grow on the bones of the spine or around the joints.
Osteophyte symptoms
Osteophytesdon't always cause symptoms. They can cause problems if they: rub against other bone or tissue restrict movement squeeze nearby nerves For example, osteophytes that occur in the: s
What causes osteophytes?
Osteophytes tend toform when the joints have been affected by arthritis. Osteoarthritis damages cartilage, which is the tough, white, flexible tissue that lines the bones and allows the joints to mov
When to seek medical advice
See your GP if you havejoint pain or stiffness, or if you have other symptoms in an area of your body, such as numbness or nerve pain. They'llinvestigatethe underlying cause. Your GP will ask you abo
Treating osteophytes
Osteophytes don't usually cause pain, but the associated arthritis might. If you're in pain, over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , may help. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal a
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