Bone Spurs on Spine: Why They Form and When They Hurt?

Spinal osteophytes (extra bone growths) often develop in response to wear and tear, joint stress, or degenerative disc disease. This bone spur formation can support weakened areas, but many growths cause no symptoms. However, pain can start if the extra bone presses on spinal nerves or nearby joints.

At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our spine specialists provide care based on the location and severity of your spinal bone spur. We often begin with conservative care to control inflammation and improve your range of motion. If symptoms continue, we can discuss advanced treatment options based on your condition and daily needs. Call 855-321-6784 to discuss your bone spur treatment with our spine team.

Why Do Bone Spurs Form on Your Spine and Cause Pain?

Your body can develop bone spurs to stabilize spinal joints affected by long-term wear and tear. As spinal discs lose height, increased pressure shifts to the facet joints (small joints that connect the vertebrae), which promotes bone spur formation. These growths can trigger pain once they irritate nearby joints or press on spinal nerves.

In fact, research indexed by the National Library of Medicine examined the link between disc degeneration and osteophyte growth. Researchers found that progressive disc damage increased mechanical stress on the vertebral bone. This added stress can stimulate bone remodeling (changes in bone structure) and promote bone spur formation.

The following factors can also increase stress on the spine and may contribute to extra bone growth:

1. Past Spinal Injuries

A previous spine injury can change the way your vertebrae and joints absorb pressure. After the initial damage, extra stress can affect the injured joint during daily movement. Over time, this repeated strain can contribute to bone spur formation around the affected area. The risk may increase if the injury also causes lasting joint damage.

2. Poor Posture

Poor posture places uneven pressure across your spinal column during sitting, standing, or daily activity. This imbalance can place added stress on certain joints and discs. With repeated strain, wear and tear can gradually damage these structures. In response, extra bone may develop around the stressed joints for added support.

3. Spinal Arthritis

If you have arthritis in your back, the cartilage that allows your spinal joints to move smoothly can gradually break down. As this protective tissue wears away, the joint surfaces face greater friction and pressure. This added stress can accelerate spinal degeneration and promote extra bone growth along the joint edges. As these growths expand, they can irritate nearby joints or spinal nerves.

What Happens When a Bone Spur Grows on Your Spine?

A spinal osteophyte can extend toward nearby joints, spinal nerves, or the spinal canal (space that contains the spinal cord and nerves). Many of these growths cause no symptoms, especially when they do not affect surrounding structures. Problems can develop once the extra bone narrows the available space and places pressure on nerve tissue.

This pressure can trigger nerve-related symptoms such as pain, numbness or tingling, or muscle weakness. These changes often occur alongside disc degeneration or joint damage that has already reduced the space around the nerves. As these underlying changes progress, a bone spur can affect normal movement.

Where Do Spinal Osteophytes Usually Develop?

Spinal osteophytes usually develop along the edges of the vertebrae and within the facet joints as cartilage wears down. They can also form near the neural foramina (small openings where nerve roots exit the spinal column). Their exact location can affect nearby joints, nerve roots, or other surrounding structures. The location and frequency of these growths can also differ across regions of the spine, such as:

1. Cervical Spine (Neck)

The neck commonly develops osteophytes, particularly along the lower cervical levels. Research published in the European Spine Journal evaluated cervical degeneration in 1,581 patients. Researchers found the most frequent and severe osteophyte formation at C5-C6. They also found that disc degeneration and the number of affected spinal levels increased with age.

2. Lumbar Spine (Lower Back)

The lower back can develop osteophytes as disc degeneration affects the vertebrae and nearby joints. For example, research published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases evaluated 2,340 lumbar vertebral levels in adults aged 50 and older. Researchers found osteophytes at 73% of the levels they assessed, which made them the most common degenerative feature in the study. Greater osteophyte severity was also associated with greater disc-space narrowing and endplate sclerosis (hardening of bone beneath the disc).

3. Thoracic Spine (Mid-Back)

According to research published in Clinical Anatomy, osteophytes commonly affect the thoracic spine in older adults. The study examined CT scans from T4 to T12 and found the largest bone spurs at T9, T10, and T11. Researchers also found that osteophyte number and size increased with age. These findings show that age-related changes can affect both the extent and size of thoracic bone spurs.

Do Bone Spurs on Your Spine Always Hurt?

No, many spine bone spurs cause no symptoms and may never become painful. These smooth bone growths often develop as the spine responds to age-related joint stress or repetitive stress. Since they may cause no noticeable changes, doctors sometimes discover them incidentally during imaging tests for another condition.

What Does a Painful Spinal Osteophyte Feel Like?

A painful spinal osteophyte can cause a dull ache, stiffness, or persistent pain in your neck or lower back. The discomfort may become stronger with movement, standing, or walking. You may also notice muscle spasms around the irritated spinal joint.

If the growth causes nerve irritation, sharp or electric pain can travel into your arms or legs. You may also notice tingling, numbness, or reduced sensation in your hands or feet. As nerve pressure increases, these sensory changes may lead to progressive weakness in the affected limb.

However, the exact symptom pattern depends on the spur’s location and the nerve structures it affects. Here is how these symptoms can differ across areas of the spine:

Spur Location	Common Symptom Pattern	Area Affected
Cervical Spine (Neck)	Neck pain, tingling, numbness, weakness	Neck, shoulders, arms, hands
Thoracic Spine (Mid-Back)	Mid-back pain, radiating chest discomfort	Mid-back, ribs, chest
Lumbar Spine (Lower Back)	Back pain, tingling, leg weakness	Lower back, buttocks, legs
Spinal Canal	Weakness, poor coordination, walking difficulty	Arms, hands, legs, feet

Important Note: You need imaging tests and a clinical examination to confirm if a bone spur is actually causing your nerve symptoms.

Why Can One Osteophyte Hurt While Another Does Not?

One osteophyte may cause no symptoms if it does not affect nearby nerves, the spinal cord, or other sensitive structures. In contrast, another can cause pain if its position places pressure on these structures or reduces the space around them. Location becomes especially important when a spur grows near the neural foramen (the opening where a nerve root exits the spine) or spinal canal. In these areas, nerve pressure can cause sharp pain, numbness, or weakness.

Beyond bone spur location, the following factors can also affect the type and severity of your symptoms:

• Size and Direction: Larger or inward growths can place greater pressure on nearby nerves.
• Inflammation: Contact with joints, muscles, or connective tissue can trigger local pain and swelling.
• Activity: Movement can increase friction around an irritated bone spur.

Can Bony Growth Narrow the Space Around Your Nerves?

Yes, bony growth can reduce the space available around spinal nerves. Bone spurs may extend into the spinal canal or the neural foramina (openings where nerve roots exit the spine). As these spaces narrow, the extra bone can place pressure on nearby nerve roots or the spinal cord.

This narrowing can contribute to spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis. With less space available, nerve compression can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. In severe cases, greater compression can interfere with normal nerve function and require further evaluation.

How Are Spinal Bone Spurs Diagnosed?

Your doctor may perform a detailed physical examination and review your medical history to identify signs of spinal bone spurs. They will ask about pain, stiffness, numbness, or weakness, and when these symptoms occur. If your symptoms suggest nerve pressure or spinal changes, your doctor may order imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans.

During the physical exam, your doctor checks your movement and nerve function to determine which area may cause your symptoms. These findings can show if pain originates from a joint problem or possible nerve compression. Your doctor may also assess the following areas to better understand your symptoms:

• Posture and Alignment: Checks spinal curves and walking pattern.
• Tenderness: Identifies painful areas or muscle tightness.
• Range of Motion: Tests neck and back movement.
• Neurological Function: Checks strength, sensation, and reflexes.

Will a Bone Spur Show Up on an MRI?

Yes, a spinal bone spur can show up on an MRI scan. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the spine. It can show the spur along with nearby discs, ligaments, the spinal cord, and nerve roots.

These details help your doctor determine whether the bone spur is causing your neurological symptoms, such as numbness or weakness. By showing the structures around the spur, MRI can reveal nerve compression or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). These findings can support early diagnosis and guide treatment based on the structures affected.

Moreover, research published in Investigative Radiology compared MRI techniques for detecting spinal osteophytes. A specialized susceptibility-weighted MRI technique identified 92 of 93 osteophytes, with 98.9% sensitivity and 99.1% specificity. In comparison, conventional T1/T2 MRI showed 68.6% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity.

Does an Osteophyte on an X-Ray Mean You Need Treatment?

No, finding an osteophyte on an X-ray does not always mean you need treatment. Many bone spurs cause no symptoms and may be detected on an X-ray for lower back pain or another underlying spinal condition. Without pain, nerve symptoms, or limited movement, treatment may not be necessary.

When Does a Spinal Osteophyte Need Treatment?

Your doctor may recommend treatment when a spinal osteophyte causes persistent pain, inflammation, or reduced movement. They may also recommend early treatment if extra bone compresses a nerve root or the spinal cord. This pressure can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or difficulty walking or gripping objects. In severe cases, progressive nerve or movement problems may require surgical treatment.

You should also seek urgent medical evaluation if you notice the following warning signs:

• Progressive Weakness: Increasing weakness in your arms or legs.
• Loss of Coordination: Trouble with balance, walking, or hand control.
• Bowel or Bladder Changes: Loss of bowel or bladder control.

Can a Spinal Bone Spur Go Away Naturally?

No, spinal bone spurs cannot dissolve or disappear on their own. They consist of solid bone tissue that develops in response to long-term stress or degenerative changes. However, treatment may relieve pain and reduce inflammation without physically removing the bone spur. It can also address other problems associated with a painful bone spur, such as:

• Joint Irritation: Reduces discomfort around affected joints.
• Nerve Pressure: Eases symptoms from compressed nerves.
• Limited Movement: Improves comfortable spinal motion.
• Underlying Changes: Addresses related joint or disc problems.

What Are the Treatment Options for Spinal Bone Spurs?

Your doctor may recommend medications or guided rehabilitation to control symptoms from spinal bone spurs. Short rest periods and changes in activity can also reduce stress on irritated joints and nerves. If symptoms continue, injections may provide temporary relief for selected patients with nerve-related pain.

Here is how these nonsurgical treatments can address pain and irritation from spinal bone spurs:

1. Medications

Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can reduce pain from an irritated spinal joint. These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also relieve inflammation around the affected area. Your doctor may recommend prescription medication if over-the-counter options do not provide enough symptom relief. Muscle relaxants for back pain may also reduce muscle spasms associated with spinal irritation.

2. Guided Rehabilitation

Targeted exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your spine. Strong core and back muscles can then reduce stress on affected spinal joints. With less pressure on these joints, posture and flexibility exercises can support more comfortable movement. These changes can improve daily function without removing the bone spur itself.

3. Rest and Activity Modification

Short rest periods can reduce discomfort during an acute flare-up. Once symptoms improve, changes to daily activities can limit repeated stress on the irritated area. Your doctor may also recommend avoiding movements that repeatedly aggravate your symptoms. This approach can reduce nerve irritation while you gradually return to normal activity.

4. Injections

Steroid injections may provide temporary pain relief when inflammation irritates a nearby nerve. For some spinal conditions, doctors may use epidural steroid injections to deliver anti-inflammatory medication into the epidural space around spinal nerves. The medication can reduce swelling and nerve-related symptoms for a limited period. These injections control symptoms but do not physically remove the bone spur.

When Does Bony Overgrowth Need Surgical Removal?

Your surgeon may recommend surgery if symptoms persist despite conservative treatment such as medications, guided rehabilitation, or steroid injections. They may also recommend surgery if a bone spur compresses a nerve and causes persistent pain, numbness, or weakness. In such cases, surgery may reduce nerve pressure and address the underlying spinal problem.

In fact, a 2024 study published in Scientific Reports evaluated 56 patients who underwent surgery for large retrovertebral osteophytes in the cervical spine. Surgeons removed the osteophytes during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Both surgical groups showed significant improvements in pain and neurological function after surgery. The study also reported no dural tears or spinal cord injuries in either group.

Get Expert Evaluation for Painful Spinal Bone Spurs at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine!

Persistent back or neck symptoms require a clear diagnosis when a bone spur affects nearby structures. You may notice pain during movement, stiffness, or discomfort that affects your daily routine. If nerve pressure develops, you may also experience numbness, weakness, or reduced muscle control.

At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we check if a spinal bone spur is the source of your pain, weakness, or nerve-related symptoms. Our spine specialists review your symptoms and imaging results to identify the affected area. Based on these findings, we develop a personalized bone spur treatment plan based on the source and severity of your symptoms. Call 855-321-6784 or visit our clinics in Syosset, Massapequa, East Meadow, or Deer Park to consult our spine specialists.

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