Osteophyte (bone spur)
Osteophyte symptoms
Osteophytesdon't always cause symptoms. They can cause problems if they: rub against other bone or tissue restrict movement squeeze nearby nerves For example, osteophytes that occur in the: spine can cause pain and stiffness in the back neck can pincha nearby nerve and cause pain, pins and needles , numbness or weakness in the arms shoulder can limit the space available for tendons and ligaments, and may be linked to tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear hip and knee can reduce the range of movement andare often associated with painful arthritis knee may cause painwhen you bend and extend your leg fingers can cause lumps
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Introduction
Find out about osteophytes, which are bony lumps (bone spurs) that grow on the bones of the spine or around the joints.
Osteophyte symptoms
Osteophytesdon't always cause symptoms. They can cause problems if they: rub against other bone or tissue restrict movement squeeze nearby nerves For example, osteophytes that occur in the: s
What causes osteophytes?
Osteophytes tend toform when the joints have been affected by arthritis. Osteoarthritis damages cartilage, which is the tough, white, flexible tissue that lines the bones and allows the joints to mov
When to seek medical advice
See your GP if you havejoint pain or stiffness, or if you have other symptoms in an area of your body, such as numbness or nerve pain. They'llinvestigatethe underlying cause. Your GP will ask you abo
Treating osteophytes
Osteophytes don't usually cause pain, but the associated arthritis might. If you're in pain, over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , may help. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal a
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