Osteophyte (bone spur)

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:

spine can cause pain and stiffness in the back
neck can pincha nearby nerve and cause pain, pins and needles , numbness or weakness in the arms
shoulder can limit the space available for tendons and ligaments, and may be linked to tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear
hip and knee can reduce the range of movement andare often associated with painful arthritis
knee may cause painwhen you bend and extend your leg
fingers can cause lumps

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for osteophyte (bone spur)

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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