Does arthritis Cause Bone Spurs and how can you prevent them?

Many people with arthritis experience pain, stiffness, and eventually bone spurs, especially as they get older or have a higher body mass index. The good news is that you can take steps to help prevent bone spurs and keep your joints healthy.

Key Takeaways

• Osteoarthritis is the main kind of arthritis that leads to bone spurs because cartilage breaks down.
• Bone spurs can cause joint pain, stiffness, and sometimes numbness or tingling.
• Keeping a healthy weight and exercising often can help stop bone spurs and keep joints healthy.
• Wearing shoes that support your feet and standing up straight can lower pressure on your joints.
• If you have joint pain or stiffness, see a doctor early for help and treatment.

Does arthritis cause bone spurs?

What are bone spurs?

Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are small, bony growths that form on the edges of your bones. You usually find them where two bones meet at a joint or where tendons and ligaments attach to bones.

Doctors often find bone spurs during a physical exam or by using imaging tests like X-rays. These tests help show the size and location of the bone spur and check for any problems it may cause.

• Bone spurs can be identified through physical examinations.
• Imaging tests like X-rays are commonly used to confirm their presence.
• Symptoms may include pain, weakness in a joint, or trouble walking.

You might not notice a bone spur at first. Sometimes, you only feel symptoms if the spur presses on nerves or other tissues. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and sometimes numbness or tingling.

If you feel burning, tingling, or dull pain in your neck, back, hands, or feet, a bone spur could be the cause. Muscle weakness or trouble moving a joint may also signal a bone spur.

Here is a table showing some of the most common symptoms you might experience:

How arthritis leads to bone spurs

You may ask, does arthritis cause bone spurs? The answer is yes, especially when you have osteoarthritis.

When you have arthritis, the cartilage in your joints starts to break down. Cartilage acts like a cushion between your bones. As it wears away, your bones lose their smooth surface and begin to rub against each other.

Your body tries to fix this damage. It responds by growing new bone at the edges of the joint. This process creates bone spurs. The main reason for this is to help stabilize the joint, but these new growths can also cause pain and limit movement.

Here is how the process works:

1. New bone forms at the joint margins through a process called endochondral ossification.
2. This process is similar to how your bones grow when you are young.
3. The body creates bone spurs as a way to deal with the instability caused by cartilage loss.

• The gradual breakdown of cartilage in osteoarthritis leads to thinning and loss of elasticity.
• As cartilage wears away, your body tries to repair the joint by forming new bone at the edges.
• These bone spurs develop to stabilize the joint but can cause pain and stiffness.

Scientists have studied the link between arthritis and bone spur formation. They found that certain molecules, like transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic proteins, play a role in bone spur growth. Studies also show that bone spurs often form as people age, especially in areas where tendons and ligaments attach to bone. The inflammation from arthritis can speed up this process.

Doctors use several imaging techniques to find bone spurs in people with arthritis:

So, does arthritis cause bone spurs?

Yes, it does. When your joints lose cartilage, your body tries to repair the damage by growing new bone.

This leads to bone spurs, which can cause pain and limit how well you move. Knowing how this happens can help you take steps to protect your joints and prevent bone spurs in the future.

Who is at risk?

Types of arthritis linked to bone spurs

You might wonder who gets bone spurs most often. Osteoarthritis is the main type that leads to bone spurs. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage in your joints slowly wears away.

Your body tries to fix this by making new bone. This new bone can turn into bone spurs. Other types, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, also affect joints. But they do not cause bone spurs as much as osteoarthritis does.

If you have osteoarthritis, you are much more likely to get bone spurs than with other types of arthritis.

Some things can make you more likely to get bone spurs if you have arthritis:

Your risk goes up a lot after age 50. Studies show over 80% of older adults have bone spurs, especially with osteoarthritis. If you are over 60, your risk is even higher.

Common locations for bone spurs

Bone spurs usually form where your body moves or gets a lot of pressure. The most common spots are:

• Spine
• Knees
• Hips
• Hands
• Shoulders
• Feet

You might feel pain or stiffness in these places if you get bone spurs. For example, about 45 percent of people will get knee osteoarthritis in their life.

Around 40 percent will get hand osteoarthritis. About 25 percent will get hip osteoarthritis. These numbers show bone spurs are common in these joints.

If you have ever wondered, “does arthritis cause bone spurs,” now you know osteoarthritis is the main reason. Some joints are more likely to get these bony growths. Knowing where bone spurs form can help you look for early signs and protect your joints.

Prevention

Medical management

You can do things to help manage arthritis. This can lower your chance of getting bone spurs. Doctors might give you medicine to help with pain and swelling.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, can slow joint damage in some arthritis types. These drugs work best for inflammatory arthritis.

They might not work as well for osteoarthritis. DMARDs can help with swelling and protect your bones, but results are different for everyone. Your doctor may also want you to try physical therapy. This keeps your joints moving and your muscles strong.

If you have arthritis, regular doctor visits are important. Your doctor can check your joints and find bone spurs early.

Lifestyle tips

Small changes in your daily life can help a lot. Try to keep a healthy weight. This takes pressure off your joints. Being overweight makes bone spurs and osteoarthritis more likely.

Wear shoes that support your feet and have soft padding. This is important if you stand or walk a lot. Moving your body keeps your joints loose and your muscles strong.

Doing exercises that use your body weight and eating foods with calcium help your bones. Sitting and standing up straight protects your neck and back. Make sure your desk and chair help you sit with good posture.

Here are some helpful tips:

• Keep a healthy weight to help your joints.
• Wear shoes that support your feet and feel soft.
• Move your body with regular exercise.
• Eat foods with calcium to make your bones strong.
• Sit and stand up straight and use good furniture.

When to see a doctor

Look out for signs that mean you should see a doctor. Go to the doctor if you have:

1. Joint pain when you move or after moving.
2. Stiffness, especially when you wake up.
3. Soreness when you touch a joint.
4. Trouble moving a joint or less flexibility.
5. Swelling or warmth around a joint.
6. Joints that make grinding or cracking sounds.
7. Hard bumps near your joints.

If bone spurs are not treated, they can hurt all the time. They can make it hard to move and cause more joint problems. Getting help early can stop these problems and keep you active.

Taking steps now can help you control arthritis and stop bone spurs. If you ask, does arthritis cause bone spurs, remember you can help prevent them.

You have learned that osteoarthritis can cause bone spurs. This happens when cartilage wears away. Many people feel pain or stiffness in their joints. Some people do not notice any symptoms at all. Here is a short summary:

You can lower your risk by joining programs that teach self-care. Staying active helps your joints stay healthy. Getting treatment early is important.

Taking care of your body and mind helps you handle arthritis and bone spurs. If you feel joint pain or notice changes, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can give advice that is right for you.

FAQ

Can bone spurs go away on their own?

Bone spurs do not disappear without treatment. You may not feel symptoms if the spur is small. Doctors can help you manage pain and prevent more joint damage.

Regular exercise and healthy habits can keep your joints strong.

What foods help prevent bone spurs?

You can eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients support bone health. Try adding milk, cheese, leafy greens, and fish to your meals.

Are bone spurs always painful?

You may not feel pain from every bone spur. Some spurs cause no symptoms. Pain happens when a spur presses on nerves or tissues.

• You might notice stiffness or swelling.
• Some people have no symptoms at all.

How do doctors treat bone spurs?

Doctors use medicine, physical therapy, or surgery. You may get pain relief with over-the-counter drugs. Physical therapy helps you move better. Surgery removes large spurs if needed.

Always talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment.