We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Causes Bone Spurs?

By Steve R.
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,857
Share

Bone spurs are a growth of bone on existing bone. Known medically as osteophytes, bone spurs occur when the body attempts to heal itself. The common condition, which can be often be painful, usually develops as a way to deal with the pressure or rubbing that builds up in the body over the years. What causes bone spurs include diseases, the natural aging process, and trauma.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in a person's joints weakens and the body tries to strengthen itself. As cartilage gradually breaks down, the smooth surfaces around it hardens. This causes bone to press against other bone. While the body attempts to fix the internal damage, the result often is new bone growing over previously existing bones.

Other diseases, often associated with the spine, are another example of what causes bone spurs. Spondylosis is a condition that causes bones in the neck and lower back to break down. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperotosis, known as DISH, produces bone growths on ligaments of the spine. Spinal stenosis is a condition where bone spurs are a factor to the tightening of bones in the spine that leads to pressure on the spinal cord.

As individuals get older and joints slowly erode, bone spurs often develop in the body. Commonly bone spurs will develop in the feet and spine. However, in the elderly, bone spurs may actually be advantageous. The condition helps to strengthen aging joints and cartilage.

An injury caused by trauma or inflammation of cartilage or tendon may produce damage to bones, which is another instance of what causes bone spurs. Often injured areas of the body where bone spurs may grow include the heel and discs in the spine. When the body attempts to mend the damage or inflammation, new bone develops in the area.

Sometimes, bone spurs are self-induced. Activities that tighten ligaments and put pressure on the feet, including dancing and running, may lead to the development of bone spurs. A condition known as plantar fasciitis, where a ligament in the bottom of the foot tugs on the heel, which is yet another example of what causes bone spurs. Bone spurs can also develop from the pressure placed on the feet from being overweight. Women who wear high-heeled shoes that do not fit properly can form bone spurs in their heels.

The shoulder is a place where bone spurs also develop. Making repetitious movements in which the shoulder is placed above the head, such as those used by athletes and artists, can cause bone spurs. Continuous overhead motions cause the tendons to rub against bones. As a result, bone spurs are produced that squeeze the rotator cuff, causing irritation and leads to a weakened shoulder.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Lostnfound — On Feb 06, 2014

My sister has a bone spur on her heel that gives her fits. It's right where she bears weight on her foot, so it really hurts her to walk, some days.

I don't know what the treatment is for bone spurs, other than surgery, and even then, I'm not sure how effective it is. I try to wear good shoes that support my feet and arches to help keep these things from forming to start with. That's really the only way to keep from getting them, in my opinion. I don't wear high heels and I wear good walking shoes with insoles that reduce pressure on my heels.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-causes-bone-spurs.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.