A bone spur is a bony protrusion that forms on the vertebrae due to the natural aging process. As we age, the joints in our spine begin to dry out and wear. A bone spur will develop in an attempt to stabilize the bone-on-bone contact caused by this deterioration. If it compresses a nerve root or the spinal cord it can lead to neck or back pain. It can also produce symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities. There are a variety of treatments described in the following article that can help to relieve the symptoms associated with this condition.
Conservative Bone Spur Treatments
Typically it is first recommended to begin a course of conservative treatments before attempting surgical intervention. For instance, the following treatments may be effective in easing the pain and discomfort associated with bone spurs:
- Pain medication
- Anti-inflammatories
- Muscle spasm medication
- Chiropractic manipulation
- Physical therapy
- Low impact exercises
- Acupuncture
- Epidural steroid injections
However, if your symptoms do not improve or your condition worsens after several weeks or months of conservative bone spur treatment, then you may require surgery to relieve your condition.
Your Surgical Treatment Options
As you are researching your surgical options for bone spur treatment, consider the minimally invasive procedures performed at BEST Health System. Our procedures use a small incision, typically less than an inch. This muscle-sparing technique is a safer and more effective alternative to open spine surgery.
At BEST Health System we offer a variety of minimally invasive treatments including a laminotomy, foraminotomy, discectomy or facet thermal ablation performed most often in conjunction with decompression surgery. To find out if you are a potential candidate for the procedures performed at our state-of-the-art facilities, get in touch with BEST today. We are here to help you recapture your quality of life from your bone spur symptoms.
