Bone spurs are a common condition that occur when projections of bones develop alongside the edges of bones in your body in your feet, spine, neck, shoulder, fingers and knees. While some bone spurs may be relatively harmless, other spurs can place pressure on blood vessels that lead to other areas of the body, including the brain, making the diagnosis and treatment of bone spurs essential for preventing future related health problems.
Step 1
Move your arms, legs, shoulders and neck to test your range of motion. One possible sign of a bone spur is a loss in your total range of motion, suggests the MayoClinic.com, which occurs as the bone spur interrupts your joint's typical ability to move.
Step 2
Flex and relax the joints of your body and pay attention to any joint related pain. When bone spurs develop near the joints, they can affect the pain sensing nerves located around the spur, creating varying intensities of pain.
Step 3
Rotate your shoulders and pay attention to any loss of motion or pain. Bone spurs can sometime rub up against the muscles that make up the rotator cuff, causing swelling, pain and a loss of range of motion to your shoulders.
Step 4
Try swallowing and examine whether or not you have any difficulty swallowing or breathing. Bone spurs can develop in the neck off the cervical bones, placing pressure on the internal structures of your neck including the airways and esophagus.
Step 5
Bend your knees and examine your total range of motion. If your range of motion is limited, a bone spur may be interfering with your tendons' ability to operate the knee joint.
Step 6
Check your fingers for visible bumps, especially around the joints. With very little tissue between the bone and skin, spurs that develop on the fingers may be visible on the surface of your skin.
Step 7
Get an X-ray done by your doctor. X-rays are the only ways to be completely sure that a bone spur has developed. This will also give your doctor the opportunity to explain the possible treatment options.
