Bone Spur Causes

There are a number of common spinal conditions that are related to the development of bone spurs, including:

• Osteoarthritis
  

  
  View Arthritis
  Videos
  Medical providers often refer to the changes as spinal arthritis or osteoarthritis of the facet joints, and this condition is a common cause of back pain in the older patient population (over 55 or 60).
  
  

  Osteoarthritis can cause stiffness and lower back pain that is usually worse in the morning, gets better after moving around, and then gets worse again toward the end of the day.
  

The most common root cause of cervical and lumbar osteoarthritis is a genetic predisposition. Patients may typically develop symptoms of osteoarthritis in their mid 40’s to early 50’s. Men are more likely to develop arthritic related symptoms earlier in life, however postmenopausal women with stiffening spines (accelerated bone spur formation) rapidly approach men in incidence and severity of osteoarthritis.



For more information about spinal osteoarthritis, see the Spinal Arthritis Health Center.

• Spinal Stenosis
  Enlargement of the bone can sometimes lead to narrowing of the spinal canal and result in spinal stenosis. This condition can cause nerve pinching, leading to pain down the legs that is worse when the patient stands and walks, and is better when sitting. Spinal stenosis cannot be prevented but it certainly can be cured.
  
  

  For more information about spinal stenosis, see What is Spinal Stenosis?.

• Article written by:
• John H. Schneider, MD

Print

Share |