Osteophyte (bone spur)

Introduction

Osteophytes are bony lumps(bone spurs) that growon the bones of the spine oraround the joints.

They oftenform next to joints affected by Osteoarthritis (a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff).

Osteophytes can grow from any bone, but they're most often found in the:

neck
shoulder
knee
lower back
fingers or big toe
foot or heel

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 25 Nov 2016

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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