Bone Spurs in Neck

The other name of bone spur is osteophyte. This can be described as an extended bony growth on the normal bone structure. It may form in any part of the body but is most commonly found in the neck, shoulders, feet, knees and fingers. Bone spurs in the neck is also known as cervical bone spurs. The cervical spine tends to suffer damage when it is subjected to a lot of pressure, friction or stress, for a long period of time. Bone spurs are formed on it as the body tries to repair these damages by building some extra bone.

What Causes Bone Spurs in Neck?
The most prevalent cause of cervical bone spurs is aging. As we grow old, the sac-like cartilaginous discs that are present in between the bones of the cervical spine, wear out. Moreover, the fibrous tissues of the ligaments that hold the bones of the cervical spine also break down with age. In this condition, your body creates the extra bone in order to maintain the stability of the joint. There are various health disorders that can be responsible for this kind of degeneration of the neck bone which promote growth of bone spurs. Cervical spondylosis, untreated herniated disc or slipped disc, osteoarthritis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) are some of them. Structural problems of the neck bones due to birth defect, injury, poor posture, obesity, malnutrition are the other factors that contribute towards formation of bone spurs in neck.

What are the Symptoms of Bone Spurs in Neck?
The basic structure of a neck bone spur is smooth. Hence, in the beginning, no signs and symptoms are found. When its size increases, it compresses the bones, ligaments or tendons in the surrounding areas and the painful bone spur symptoms show up. Initially, it is a dull neck and shoulder pain that worsens with activities and subsides with rest. Sometimes, the pain extends down to the lower back region. As the bony projection gets rubbed against the soft tissues of tendons and ligaments repeatedly, inflammation occur in them and tenderness can be felt in the neck area. It can weaken the neck muscles and trigger spasms. If the bone spurs affect the nearby nerves, patients experience symptoms like numbness and tingling in the hands. It can lead to loss of coordination in certain parts of the body. In case, the pressure on the nerves is too much, there is chance of loss of control over bladder or bowels.

How to Treat Bone Spurs in Neck?
There are two different forms of treatment for neck bone spurs. One is the non surgical method and the other one is surgery. First of all, presence of a bony overgrowth is detected with the help of X-ray, MRI scan and CT scan. To bring down the pain and inflammation, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and muscle relaxants. If the pain refuses to go down with these medicines, then corticosteroid injections are administered. You can apply ice pack on the neck area to reduce the pain. Physical therapy is recommended for some patients. It helps to strengthen the weak neck muscles. Low impact exercises like water aerobic exercises have been proved to be highly beneficial for many patients. Doctors also suggest modifications in activities in order to minimize the pressure from neck and shoulders. In those cases where non surgical treatments do not give the desired results and the symptoms of bone spur are bothering the patient too much, doctors opt for surgery as the last resort. There are various types of surgical procedures for the treatment of cervical osteophyte. The choice of the surgical method depends on the location of the bone spur and the overall health condition of the patient. After the surgery is successfully done, one can get relief from the symptoms and lead a good quality life.

There is no way one can prevent growth of bone spurs. If you have bone spurs in your neck, there is no need to panic. You may not even need any treatment for it as long as it is not giving you any sort of trouble with its symptoms. Once the symptoms show up, consult your doctor and start the treatment on time. Follow the instructions given by your doctor carefully and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thus you will be able to lead a fruitful and happy life.