What Are Bone Spurs (Osteophytosis) And How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Have you ever noticed a smooth bump forming on one of your bones?

If so, you might have a bone spur.

Many people panic when they discover a new bump or lump on their body.

But don’t worry, a bone spur typically doesn’t present with any significant medical complications.

While the word “spur” might make you think of something sharp and painful, most bone spurs don’t cause any significant pain at all.

In fact, most bone spurs are nothing more than an aesthetic change in your body that don’t require any treatment.

Nonetheless, some bone spurs can cause varying degrees of pain and limit your range of motion.

If this is the case, our team of physical therapists can help get you feeling better.

But what exactly are bone spurs, how do they form, and how can orthopedic physical therapy help?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Bone Spurs?

When you hear the word spur, what comes to mind?

If you immediately think of what’s on the back of a cowboy’s boot, you’re not alone.

But despite the name, bone spurs aren’t actually sharp at all.

Instead, they’re smooth bumps or projections that stick out from your bones.

You can usually find them where two bones meet to form a joint, like at your heel, your knee, or on your hands and fingers

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Bone spurs are a common health condition among aging populations.

But that doesn’t mean that younger people don’t experience them.

Although it’s more common after the age of 60, anyone can develop bone spurs.

The scientific term for bone spurs is “osteophytosis”.

X ray imaging can help your doctors see the location and size of your bone spur.

Either a primary care doctor or an orthopedist can perform the x ray.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Bone Spurs?

Many people with bone spurs experience little or no symptoms other than a bump extending from their bone.

Most bone spurs are small and painless.

However, bone spurs in your knee, shoulder, or hips may sometimes cause varying degrees of pain.

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You may also notice limited movement in your affected joints.

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, bone spur symptoms may also depend on their location on your body.

In addition to pain, potential symptoms may include:

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Tenderness

The spine is a common spot for bone spur development as well.

These types of bone spurs are sometimes painful, especially if they press on your surrounding nerves.

People with bone spurs on their spine often experience associated numbness in their arms, legs, and back.

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What Causes Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs are caused by a variety of factors.

Osteoarthritis is a common factor.

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that often occurs following chronic, long term wear and tear on your joints.

It’s most common among seniors.

However, younger people can also develop bone spurs.

This is particularly true for younger people who’ve experienced a sports or running injury, as well as car crash victims.

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According to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, several other factors may play a role in the development of bone spurs.

These include:

• Sports injuries
• Use of athletics with improper footwear
• Repetitive or high impact movements without aftercare (like stretching or using a foam roller)
• Disc or joint degeneration
• Genetics
• Improper nutrition
• Poor posture
• Congenital abnormalities, such as structural problems

How Can Bone Spurs Physical Therapy Help?

Many people believe the common misconception that all bone spurs require surgical removal.

In truth, people with bone spurs rarely require surgery.

Sure, surgery is certainly a direct method for impacting the bone spur.

However, there’s plenty of less invasive techniques you might consider first.

For instance, postural retraining, stretching, and strengthening are all excellent methods that can help your body remove the bone spur.

Physical therapy can also help.

Your physical therapist can provide treatment for chronic pain and help you prevent more bone spur development.

Despite the cause, your body creates bone spurs as a response to its environment.

A physical therapist can help you change that environment.

Our physical therapists in Washington DC can help you with methods that decrease the pressure on your joints so you’re less likely to continue to develop more bone spurs.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at some specific techniques your physical therapist might use.

1. Pain Management

If your bone spurs are painful, your physical therapist can recommend a few tips that’ll help with pain management.

For instance, your physical therapist may recommend you use heat and cold therapy or dry needling.

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Each of these options may help reduce the pain you feel in your bone spurs by helping reduce excess pull on the bones from the muscles.

2. Strengthening Exercises

Bone spurs often form when your bones and joints rub together.

Thus, a big part of treatment focuses on strengthening the muscles around that joint.

RELATED ARTICLE: Using Physical Therapy To Rebuild Strength

Strengthening the muscles around an overly moveable, or hypermobile, joint can help it move better so your bones don’t rub together as much.

This decreases your pain and also reduces your chances of developing more bone spurs.

Your physical therapist will recommend exercise based on your needs, age, and activity level.

3. Posture And Gait Training

If you have poor posture overall or just related to a specific joint, you might develop a bone spur.

Your physical therapist can work with you to create habits that will improve your posture and decrease the development of bone spurs.

This may include improving your workplace ergonomics and teaching proper lifting techniques.

Incorrect joint movements can also create or worsen the symptoms of bone spurs.

In this case, your physical therapist will help you learn ways to change this incorrect movement.

This might include altering the way you walk, or other types of movements.

Your physical therapist can help change poor joint motions into correct joint motions, which can reduce your pain and help make moving around easier.

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4. Stretching Exercises

Your physical therapist may provide you with stretching exercises that focus on your affected joint.

Stretching can help loosen up the muscles around your joint which can ease pressure on your bone spur and decrease your pain.

Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today

If you’re experiencing pain from bone spurs, it’s wise to seek help from a physical therapist.

We can help with pain management, and prevent more bone spurs from developing.

At Capitol Physical Therapy, we have years of experience working with clients with all sorts of concerns and symptoms.

Contact us today to get answers for your questions or to book a consultation.

Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today.