Bone Spurs and Joint Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When They Need Treatment

Key Takeaways

• Bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony projections that develop along joint edges
• They’re usually a sign of osteoarthritis, not a separate condition
• Many bone spurs cause no symptoms and need no treatment
• Pain typically comes from the underlying arthritis, not the spur itself
• Surgery to remove bone spurs is rarely necessary
• Treatment focuses on the underlying joint condition

If you’ve been told you have bone spurs, you might imagine sharp, painful spikes of bone jabbing into your tissues. The reality is usually less dramatic—and often less problematic than the name suggests. While bone spurs can sometimes cause symptoms, they’re frequently incidental findings that don’t require treatment.

Understanding what bone spurs actually are helps you make sense of your diagnosis and avoid unnecessary worry—or unnecessary surgery.

What Are Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs, medically called osteophytes, are smooth, bony growths that develop along the edges of bones, particularly where bones meet at joints. Despite the name “spur,” they’re not usually sharp or pointy—they’re more like gradual bony bumps or ledges.

Why They Form

Bone spurs develop as part of the body’s response to joint stress or damage:

1. Cartilage damage: When cartilage wears down (as in osteoarthritis), bones experience more friction and stress

2. Body’s response: The body attempts to stabilize the joint and distribute forces more evenly

3. Bone growth: New bone forms along the joint margins, creating spurs

4. Progression: Over time, spurs may enlarge as the underlying condition progresses

Think of it as: The body’s attempt to create a larger, more stable joint surface—a well-intentioned but imperfect repair mechanism.

Where They Occur

Bone spurs can develop in any joint but are most common in:

• Spine: Cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) vertebrae
• Knees: Along joint margins
• Hips: Rim of the socket and femoral head
• Shoulders: Acromion and around rotator cuff
• Fingers: End joints (Heberden’s nodes) and middle joints (Bouchard’s nodes)
• Feet: Heel, top of foot, big toe

Bone Spurs and Osteoarthritis

The Connection

Bone spurs don’t randomly appear—they’re almost always associated with osteoarthritis (OA). On X-rays, osteophytes are one of the classic signs doctors look for when diagnosing OA.

The relationship works like this:

Osteoarthritis progression:

1. Cartilage begins to break down
2. Joint space narrows
3. Bones experience increased stress
4. Subchondral sclerosis (bone hardening) occurs
5. Osteophytes (bone spurs) form
6. In advanced cases, cysts may develop in the bone

This means: If you have bone spurs, you likely have underlying osteoarthritis. The arthritis is the primary condition; the spurs are a secondary finding.

What Causes the Pain?

Here’s an important point many people miss: bone spurs themselves usually don’t cause pain.

The pain typically comes from:

• The underlying arthritis: Cartilage loss, inflammation, altered mechanics
• Space restrictions: When spurs impinge on nerves or tendons
• Inflammation: Of surrounding tissues reacting to joint changes
• Muscle tension: From compensating for joint dysfunction

This is why removing bone spurs surgically often doesn’t eliminate pain—because the underlying arthritis remains.

When Bone Spurs Cause Problems

While many bone spurs are asymptomatic, certain situations can cause symptoms:

Spinal Bone Spurs

Cervical (neck) spurs may cause:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches (from upper cervical involvement)
• Radiculopathy: Pain, numbness, or weakness radiating into arms
• Myelopathy: Spinal cord compression (serious—requires evaluation)

Lumbar (lower back) spurs may cause:

• Back pain and stiffness
• Sciatica: Pain radiating into legs
• Neurogenic claudication: Leg discomfort with walking, relief with sitting
• Spinal stenosis symptoms

Shoulder Spurs

Subacromial spurs may cause:

• Impingement syndrome
• Rotator cuff irritation
• Pain with overhead reaching
• Night pain

Hip Spurs

Femoral or acetabular spurs may cause:

• Impingement (femoroacetabular impingement)
• Labral tears
• Limited range of motion
• Groin pain with certain movements

Heel Spurs

Calcaneal (heel) spurs:

• Often asymptomatic (found incidentally on X-rays)
• Associated with plantar fasciitis
• The spur itself usually isn’t the pain source
• The plantar fascia inflammation causes the pain

Finger Spurs

Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes:

• May cause cosmetic concerns
• Can limit range of motion
• Sometimes tender during formation
• Often become painless once established

Diagnosis

Imaging

X-rays:

• Primary tool for visualizing bone spurs
• Show size and location
• Also reveal joint space narrowing and other arthritis signs

CT scan:

• More detailed bone imaging
• Helpful for complex anatomy (spine)
• Shows spur shape and size precisely

MRI:

• Better for soft tissues
• Shows nerve compression, disc problems
• Reveals inflammation and associated damage

Important Distinctions

Having bone spurs doesn’t mean:

• They’re causing your symptoms
• You need surgery
• Your condition will definitely worsen

Your doctor will consider:

• Do your symptoms match the spur location?
• Is there evidence of nerve compression?
• Do clinical findings correlate with imaging?
• Have conservative treatments been tried?

Treatment Options

Most Bone Spurs Need No Treatment

If bone spurs aren’t causing symptoms, leaving them alone is appropriate. Treatment focuses on the underlying condition (usually osteoarthritis) and any specific problems the spurs create.

Conservative Treatment

For underlying arthritis:

• Exercise and physical therapy
• Weight management
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Joint protection strategies

For spur-related symptoms:

• Activity modification
• Physical therapy targeting specific impingements
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Orthotics for foot problems

Medications:

• NSAIDs for inflammation
• Acetaminophen for pain
• Topical treatments

Injections:

• Corticosteroid injections for inflammation
• May be placed near impinging spurs
• Temporary relief to allow rehabilitation

When Surgery Is Considered

Surgery to remove bone spurs (osteophyte resection) is considered when:

Clear indications:

• Documented nerve compression causing neurological symptoms
• Significant impingement limiting function
• Failure of extended conservative treatment
• Progressive neurological deficits (urgent)

Surgery types:

• Arthroscopic debridement: Minimally invasive removal
• Laminectomy/foraminotomy: For spinal stenosis
• Subacromial decompression: For shoulder impingement
• Hip arthroscopy: For femoroacetabular impingement
• Joint replacement: For severe arthritis (addresses everything)

Important Considerations About Surgery

Bone spurs can return: The underlying process that created them may continue

Pain may persist: If the pain is from arthritis, not the spur

Recovery takes time: Rehabilitation is essential for good outcomes

May not prevent progression: Surgery addresses symptoms, not underlying OA

Prevention and Management

You Can’t Completely Prevent Bone Spurs

Since they’re part of the osteoarthritis process, you can’t always prevent them. However, reducing arthritis risk helps:

Joint protection:

• Avoid repetitive joint stress
• Use proper body mechanics
• Maintain healthy weight

Stay active:

• Regular low-impact exercise
• Strong muscles support joints
• Maintain flexibility

Manage underlying conditions:

• Treat injuries properly
• Address joint instability
• Control inflammatory conditions

Living with Bone Spurs

Most people manage well with:

• Understanding that spurs often aren’t the problem
• Focusing on overall joint health
• Staying active within comfortable limits
• Using appropriate treatments for symptoms
• Not obsessing over imaging findings

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bone spurs go away on their own?

No, bone spurs are permanent once formed. They’re made of bone, not soft tissue. However, they often cause no problems and don’t necessarily worsen. Treatment focuses on symptoms, not eliminating the spurs.

Can I feel my bone spurs?

Sometimes. Spurs in superficial locations (fingers, heels, knees) may be palpable as bony lumps. Deep spurs (spine, hip) can’t be felt directly—symptoms from nerve compression or impingement may be the only sign.

Are bone spurs the same as arthritis?

Bone spurs are a feature of arthritis, not a separate condition. They develop as part of the osteoarthritis process. Having bone spurs typically means you have osteoarthritis in that joint.

Should I be worried about bone spurs?

Usually not. Many bone spurs are incidental findings that cause no symptoms. The presence of bone spurs doesn’t predict how much pain you’ll have or how your condition will progress. Focus on symptoms and function, not imaging findings.

Do bone spurs always get worse?

Not necessarily. Bone spurs may stay stable for years. Progression depends on the underlying arthritis activity. Many people have bone spurs that never cause problems throughout their lifetime.

Can supplements or diet dissolve bone spurs?

No. Nothing taken orally can dissolve bone. Products claiming to “dissolve” or “break down” bone spurs are not supported by science. Focus on evidence-based treatments for the underlying arthritis.

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Want to learn more about joint conditions? Explore our guides on knee osteoarthritis or read about cartilage breakdown explained.

Last medically reviewed: February 2025

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have bone spurs causing symptoms, please consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment planning.