Treatment Options for Spinal Bone Spurs
Spinal bone spurs are the development of extra bone tissue that can form on the spinal vertebrae. These can be the result of a number of issues, including aging, genetic predisposition, bad posture, and structural defects with the spine. For many people, the spurs do not cause pain or problems. For others, however, the spurs may develop in the openings for the nerve roots, resulting in pressure on the nerve. This can create symptoms such as dull pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and muscle spasms or weakness.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available for spinal bone spurs, and most people can obtain relief from the discomfort of the condition without surgery. Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery’s specialists can answer any questions you may have about your bone spurs and also come up with an individualized treatment plan.
How Are Spinal Bone Spurs Diagnosed?
While receiving a diagnosis of spinal bone spurs can be distressing, especially if you’ve been in pain, it is important to understand that bone spurs are a common problem that rarely results in the need for spinal surgery. There are many other non-invasive options that can treat the condition as well.
In order to diagnose bone spurs, your doctor will begin by taking a complete medical and family history, which can indicate old injuries or hereditary factors that can result in this condition. They will also ask questions about your physical activities. They will perform a physical examination in which they can often pinpoint where the pain is located. Diagnostic imaging scans, such as X-rays, are also often used so that the doctor can study the bones and search for the spur that is the source of the problem.
Are There Home Remedies for Bone Spurs?
Many patients are able to find relief from the discomfort of spinal bone spurs through simple home treatments, including the use of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and muscle relaxants. Short periods of rest are also recommended if the patient experiences symptoms during physical activity.
There are also exercises that can be used to help the condition, such as neck and back exercises designed to build strength. Low-impact aerobic exercises are often effective in helping the patient keep the lungs and circulatory system running well. Your doctor may also recommend exercises designed to maintain and even improve your range of motion. Swimming or water therapy is also commonly encouraged, as it allows exercises to be performed without causing stress to the joints.
Non-Surgical Outpatient Treatments
While home treatment is all that is needed for some patients, there are also a number of non-surgical outpatient treatments that can be effective. Those with mild to moderate spinal pressure caused by bone spurs often benefit from steroid injections. These shots can be provided three times a year in order to achieve long-lasting pain relief. A facet block injection is also an effective treatment for many patients, and involves injecting a small amount of a local anesthetic and medication into the spine in order to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Patients with spinal bone spurs frequently undergo physical therapy as part of their treatment as well, and some even have success in resolving the discomfort associated with the condition through chiropractic treatments that manipulate the joints in order to reduce the pressure placed on the nerves.
When Is Surgery Needed to Repair Spinal Bone Spurs?
When conservative treatment options fail to relieve the pain or numbness caused by spinal bone spurs, surgery is recommended. A laminectomy procedure is often used to treat bone spurs, during which the lamina is removed, which is the part of the bone that makes up the vertebra. This opens up the spinal canal so that the spinal nerves have more room. The procedure is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia, and enables your surgeon to remove bits of broken spinal bone, spurs, and other problematic tissues in the area.
Some other common procedures that are used to treat spinal bone spurs include:
- Spinal fusion
- Foraminotomy
- Facet ablation
Before receiving any type of surgery for your bone spurs, it’s best to meet with your doctor or medical provider. They will go over the specifics of each type of surgery and recommend one they think will work best for your situation.
Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery Can Help Treat Your Bone Spurs
The medical team at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery is committed to using the most advanced technology available to provide minimally invasive treatments to those suffering from spinal bone spurs. We are happy to offer our patients a wide variety of treatment options designed to get them back to a life without pain.
Because of our focus on minimally invasive procedures, our patients are often able to go home the same day. We are dedicated to our patients and want to provide them the best treatment possible. To schedule your consultation with one of our physicians, you can reach out to us through our contact form, or you may us at (855) 853-6542.