Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are small outgrowths made of bone. They can be found on the periphery of previously existing bone, and are often found in the spine. Spine osteophytes can cause significant pain and other symptoms if they press on the spinal cord. Osteophytes can be formed normally or as a consequence of other spine problems.
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, also known as DISH or Forestier's disease, is a skeletal disorder which can result in the formation of bone spurs. With this condition, some of the ligaments which hold the vertebrae together become calcified and harden into bone, according to CNN Health. The term "idiopathic" means that scientists do not understand what triggers this process, though age and heredity appear to play a role. Use of medications known as retinoids also increase the chance of developing DISH. This condition can cause pain and stiffness in the upper and lower back, as well as the neck. In some cases, DISH can also affect ligaments elsewhere in the body, causing bone spurs to form in the hands, hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and heels. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis can be diagnosed via X-rays of the spine which will show calcifications that resemble wax dripping off of a candle, reports CNN Health.
Disc Disease
The spine is cushioned and protected by cartilaginous discs which fit in-between the vertebrae. Over time, these discs can become damaged or dry, making them less flexible. This can cause some instability in the joints between vertebrae, notes the website Spine-Health. As a result of this instability, the body will thicken the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together. These thickened ligaments are prone to calcification, a process which turns connective tissue into bone, resulting in osteophytes forming in the spine. Left untreated, these bone spurs may further damage the cartilaginous discs, which can result in spine instability and narrowing of the space for the spinal cord. This condition, known as spinal stenosis, can cause paralysis, pain or numbness of various parts of the body, depending on which part of the spinal cord is affected.
Aging
Bone spurs are also a part of the normal aging process. Joint diseases are common as people get older due to natural wear-and-tear that accumulates over time, notes MayoClinic.com. This causes inflammation of the joint, which stimulates bone growth. Consequently, small bone spurs are common in most elderly people, and do not cause any symptoms unless they begin to impinge on other structures in the vertebral joint or on the spinal cord.
