Your foot is one of the most used body parts. It’s a complex meshwork of tiny bones and cartilages that makes it possible to support the body’s weight. Foot injuries, therefore, occur frequently, considering how busy your foot is during the day. A significant cause of foot injuries is Upper East Side bone spurs. More about bone spurs and how they occur is detailed further below.
What are Bone Spurs?
Bone spurs are rugged, smoothened bits of extra bone at the end of bones. They are typically found in areas where two bones meet around the joint.
Bone spurs may be found in various areas of your body, including:
· Shoulders
· Hands
· Spine
· Neck
· Knees
· Hips
· Heels
Most bone spurs go unnoticed, but some may press on nerves or rub against each other resulting in stiffness and pain.
Causes of Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are most commonly caused by degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis that brings about joint damage. The tissue between the bones of your spines and your joints may deteriorate as you age. Other conditions like lupus, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis may also damage your joints.
An injury to a tendon or joint may also form bone spurs. In occurrences of damage, your body responds by trying to fix the injured area by adding bone to it.
Other reasons that may cause bone spurs:
· Genes
· Overuse of certain parts
· Obesity
· Diet
· Narrowing of the spine
· Bone issues that you were born with
Symptoms of Bone Spurs
You may have a bone spur and not even realize it until you get an x-ray for other conditions. The bone spurs only become a problem when they press on tendons, nerves, or other structures. This might lead to some of these symptoms:
· Stiffness or pain when you try to move or bend the injured joint
· Pain in the injured joint
· Muscle cramps, spasms, or weakness
· Swellings beneath your skin in the hands or fingers
· Difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder when the bone spur is pressing on some nerves of the spine
Exercise or trying to move the injured joint may worsen the symptoms.
A loose body is when a bone spur is broken off and is stuck in the joint lining. This may lock up the joint, making it difficult to move.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your physician may refer you to a specialist after evaluation. The orthopedic doctor may order x-rays to view the bone spur well. Other tests include MRI, CT, and electroconductive scans.
Treatment may involve medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium. Large medication doses may cause side effects.
Other therapies include:
· Steroid shots
· Rest
· Physical therapy improves joint movement and strength
Natural causes of bone spurs may not be avoidable due to natural wear and tear. There are, however, effective treatments available. Check out our website for any bone spur inquiries, or call our Plainview, NY offices.