Spine Bone Spurs - Spine Care/Surgery

Spine Bone Spurs Treatment Abroad

Spine bone spurs are bone projections that usually develop where bones meet each other: the joints or the bones of the spine. Bone spurs or osteophytes are enlargements of the normal bony structure, a marker of the spinal degeneration caused by aging. It's quite common for people over the age of 60 to develop bone spurs.

Types

Functional bone spurs occur when the joint is unstable, such as when a knee cap is pulled too much to one side. The joint responds by adding new bone, essentially extending the joint out further in that direction. In this case the bone spur which developed is functional, because it allows the joint to work better.

Non-functional bone spurs can begin life as functional spurs, but at some point too much bone is laid down and this dramatically reduces the range of motion of a joint. Literally the new bone gets in the way of normal joint motion.

Causes

The main cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis. As osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones, the body tries to repair this loss by creating bone spurs around or near the damaged area.

Symptoms

Usually bone spurs have no symptoms, so you might not realize you have bone spurs until an X-ray for another condition reveals the growths. In some cases, bone spurs do cause pain and loss of motion in your joints. Specific symptoms depend on where the bone spurs are. Bone spurs on your vertebrae can narrow the space that contains your spinal cord. These bone spurs can pinch the spinal cord or its nerve roots and can cause weakness or numbness in your arms or legs.

Treatment

Non-Surgical Treatment for Bone Spurs

Patients with spine bone spurs who have mild or moderate nerve compression and irritation can effectively manage their symptoms with anti-inflammatory muscle relaxant pain medications, a period of rest , rehabilitation therapy, exercise and chiropractic adjustment to restore strength and flexibility to the neck and back and to decrease compression on the nerves.

Cortisone epidural steroid injections reduce the joint swelling and improve spinal pain and radiating extremity pain syndromes. The results are usually only temporary, but repeat injections maybe indicated. Pain relief from an injection may allow the patient to progress with rehabilitation.

Spine Surgery for Bone Spurs

Laminectomy can relieve the pain and neurological symptoms by removing the bone spurs and thickened ligaments causing painful nerve compression. Most of the patients who undergo surgery for bone spurs experience good results, often gaining years of relief and improved quality of life. Medical conditions often associated with age, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can influence surgical risks and slow the recovery processes, and thus should be taken into account when deciding on surgery.

Benefits

• Reduced joint swelling
• Reduced pain
• The patient will be able to return to a normal life
• Improved posture
• Improved flexibility and strength

Doctors

You'll probably first see your family doctor. He/she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of joint disorders (rheumatologist). During the physical exam, your doctor may feel around your joint to pinpoint your pain. Sometimes your doctor can feel a bone spur or he/she may order X-rays or other imaging tests to view your joints and bones. Check references and resources to determine whether physicians or specialists are trained, experienced and accredited with therapy for bone spurs and that facilities provide state-of the art technology and equipment and have a well maintained, trained and educated staff.

Cost

The cost of the treatment for spinal bone spurs depends on the type of treatment your doctor decides you need. Individuals traveling to foreign destinations such as Mexico, Latin America, and Asia may enjoy between 30% and 50% savings on costs compared to the US and Canada on the same type of procedure, which include all inclusive hospital /hotel stay, care, and medical support.

For more information about the Spine Bone Spurs treatment and information about the best clinics offering the procedure, please contact us!