Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony projections that form along joints. Bone spurs form due to the body's increase of a damaged (usually due to arthritis) joint's surface area in a futile attempt to improve weight distribution. However, they usually limit joint movement and typically cause pain.
Bone spurs form naturally on the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In this case the spurs are not the source of back pains, but instead a common symptom of the problem.
Spurs can also appear on the feet, either along toes or the heel. and hands
Osteophytes on the fingers or toes are known as Heberden's nodes (if on the DIP joint) or Bouchard's nodes (if on the PIP joints).
External links
- Bone spurs (osteophytes) and back pain
- Bone Spur
Categories: Medicine stubs | Skeletal disorders
