Bone Spurs in the back of the Neck                  << Back

Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are an enlargement of the normal bone structure that protrude into your spine (and in other areas of your body). Bone spurs do not actually create a point but they are smooth structures formed and pulled over time by muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are a protective mechanism in your body to prevent further injury from any number of causes (see below).

Over time, the tendons (that hold muscle to bone) and ligaments (that hold bone to bone) can actually start pulling the bone from where it should be, creating bone spurs. Bones will conform to any pressure applied to them. As these bone spurs grow and form, they will sometimes impinge on a nerve causing the pain and debilitating symptoms.

Bone spurs that form along the spinal column of your neck or back can lead to nerve impingement causing severe pain, restricted movement, radiating arm and leg pain, weakness in the extremities, numbness and, in some cases, disability.

Bone Spurs Causes

In the spine, bone spurs can be caused by numerous factors:

Aging - Bone spurs can be a normal part of aging, your body creating them to add stability to joints. Over 40% of people will experience nerve impingement with the development of bone spurs.

Osteoarthritis - a joint disorder that causes the cushioning (cartilage) between the bone joints to wear away leading to bone spurs.

Disc Degeneration - a gradual deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine.

Traumatic injury and poor posture can also lead to bone spurs on your spine.

Bone Spurs Symptoms

While the actual bone spurs do not cause pain, if they rub against nearby nerves in your spinal column, they can cause tremendous amounts of pain in your neck or back, radiating arm and leg pain, weakness in the extremities, numbness and, in some cases, disability.

Bone Spurs Treatment

Non-surgical treatment for bone spurs causing nerve impingement include medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers and pain medications. Cortisone injections can provide temporary relief. Physical therapy and exercise can strengthen the muscle around the area but typically does not provide relief from the pain.

Typical surgical treatments involve massively invasive surgery, requiring many months of recuperation and a less than 50% chance of success.  Now patients have the option of Spinal Decompression and Laser Therapy Program^®.a gentle, affordable and effective non-surgical solution.

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