Bone Spur

Cervical Pain from Degeneration and Injury

cmaynard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:56:34 -0700

If a cervical vertebra is fractured by trauma, such as in a car accident, a fall, a diving accident that jars the head, or any other significant cervical injury, the spinal cord can be damaged, possibly resulting in not only cervical pain but different types of impaired functioning depending on which cervical vertebra has been injured.

For example, a cervical injury to:

Spinal Anatomy and its Effects on Types of Spinal Stenosis

Ben Parr — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:34:23 -0700

See the Spinal Stenosis
Interactive Video

Learning about spinal stenosis r

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:19:41 -0800

An anterior cervical corpectomy is a procedure performed when cervical disease encompasses more than just the disc space, such as multi-level cervical stenosis or spinal cord compression caused by bone spur growth. It involves the removal of the vertebral body as well as the disc spaces at either end, to completely decompress the cervical canal.

Understanding Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:31:46 -0800

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) refers to impaired function of the spinal cord caused by degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints acquired in adult life. This is the most common disorder causing dysfunction of the spinal cord in the United States. Most patients with this condition are over 50 years of age, but the age of onset is variable depending on the degree of congenital spinal canal narrowing.

Symptoms of Bone Spurs

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Common conditions related to the development of bone spurs include:

Osteoarthritis
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).

Diagnosis of Bone Spurs

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Diagnostic evaluation begins with the clinical examination. Your health care provider should perform a detailed neurological and spine evaluation assessing for spinal nerve and spinal cord compression.

Common diagnostic tests include:

Electroconductive tests are commonly performed to document the degree and severity of spinal nerve injury. The EMG and nerve conduction test (EMG/NCV) tests will exclude peripheral nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Treatment Options for Bone Spurs

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Non-surgical treatment for bone spurs

Most patients with mild or moderate nerve compression and irritation from bone spurs can manage their symptoms effectively with conservative back care, such as:

Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) and Back Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Introduction to bone spurs and back pain

More Back Pain Info

Osteoarthritis Complete Treatment Guide

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

While there is currently no proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the spine, there are treatments to alleviate the pain and other associated symptoms, and for most people the condition will not become debilitating. Some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain, and may not need treatment.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Osteoarthritis is characterized primarily by stiffness and pain in the joints, although not everyone with osteoarthritis actually experiences pain and disability. The stiffness and pain tend to be worse in the morning (particularly for about 30 minutes after waking up) and again in the evening, often called “first movement pain” with improvement during the day as the person carries on his or her daily activities. Pain that awakens one during the night is often an indicator.

Other symptoms can include:

Surgery for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Although osteoarthritis tends to be chronic, the symptoms are rarely progressive and rarely require surgery on the painful spinal joints. Surgery may be needed for certain patients with severe cases of spinal arthritis that leads to instability of the joint (degenerative spondylolisthesis) or nerve root pinching (spinal stenosis).