Bone spurs, a potentially painful condition, can occur for a variety of reasons. Also known as osteophytes, bone spurs are bony projections that form on the edges of bones, according to the Mayo Clinic. These spurs are not symptomatic by themselves, but they can press on nerves, ligaments and other bones and cause pain. Treatment for bone spurs typically depends on the underlying cause or condition.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a type of arthritis that involves restricted range of motion and reduced smoothness in the joint but lacks joint inflammation, states the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. The university describes two kinds of bone spurs: one that develops near a joint affected with osteoarthritis and another that occurs near a calcified ligament or tendon. Typically, removing the first kind of bone spur helps relieve some pain; the second type usually does not cause problems that warrant surgery.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that can cause bone spurs. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia---the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the forefoot---sustains injury or stress owing to too much pressure on the ligament, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The plantar fascia becomes inflamed, causing heel pain and stiffness. According to the Mayo Clinic, a bone spur on the heel can occur as a result of the chronic inflammation and irritation of the ligament on the heel bone. The pain that bone spurs on the heel can cause is not the heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Some individuals with heel spurs do not experience any pain.
Spondylosis
Although osteoarthritis often develops in joints, it can also develop in the spine, a condition called spinal osteoarthritis or spondylosis. Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder that can affect the cervical, thoracic or lumbar areas of the spine, says Spine Universe. Aging is the primary cause of the condition, but the rate at which the bones degenerate is highly individual. As the vertebrae degenerate, bone spurs may form near the end plates between vertebrae. The bone spurs can impede blood flow to the bones and compress nerves, leading to weakness and pain.
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, or DISH, is a condition involving calcifications or bony hardening of ligaments where they connect to the spine, states the Mayo Clinic. It can cause upper back stiffness as well as stiffness in the neck and lower back, loss of range of motion, difficulty swallowing and pain. DISH can also be diffuse and spread to areas other than the spine---for example, the heels, ankles, knees, hips, elbows and hands. The bone spurs that form on the ligaments can compress spinal nerves and, in some cases, even cause paralysis. Surgery may be necessary in cases of severe bone spurs in the neck that affect swallowing or spurs that compress the spinal cord.
