Bone spurs, medically known as osteophytes, are smooth, hard projections of extra bone that develop along the edges of bones. These bony growths frequently occur in joints where two bones meet, such as the knees, hips, and shoulders, or in the spine and heels. While many people have these formations without realizing it, they can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility when they press against surrounding nerves or soft tissues.
How Bone Spurs Form
Bone spurs are the body’s attempt to repair itself and stabilize a joint experiencing chronic stress or degeneration. The most common trigger for this process is osteoarthritis, a condition where the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of bones wears down over time. As the joint space narrows and bones rub against each other, the body responds by laying down new bone tissue to reinforce the area. Repetitive strain, long-term pressure, or injury can also initiate this extra bone growth, particularly where tendons or ligaments attach to the bone. Factors like advanced age, joint injury, genetics, and excess body weight increase the likelihood of developing these projections.
Addressing the Possibility of Dissolution
Once a bone spur is fully formed and composed of calcified bone tissue, it cannot be dissolved or melted away by non-surgical methods. There is no medical or scientific evidence to support the idea that dietary changes, supplements, or over-the-counter medications can eliminate this structural bone growth. Since the spur is chemically identical to the rest of the skeletal structure, any agent powerful enough to dissolve the spur would also damage the healthy bone. Claims suggesting that natural remedies, such as apple cider vinegar or specific herbs, can dissolve the spur often confuse the symptom with the cause. These natural approaches may temporarily reduce the inflammation and swelling of the soft tissue surrounding the spur, which is the source of the pain, but they do not affect the physical bone growth itself.
Non-Surgical Pain Management
The primary goal of non-surgical treatment is to relieve the pain and inflammation that occur when the bone spur irritates adjacent nerves, tendons, or soft tissue. Activity modification is a foundational step, involving resting the affected joint and avoiding movements that aggravate the condition. Losing excess weight is also highly beneficial, as it reduces the mechanical load and pressure on weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and feet, thereby decreasing friction.
Physical therapy is a core component of conservative management, focusing on exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting the joint. This improved muscle support can enhance joint stability and flexibility, which in turn reduces the stress on the bone.
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can be used to manage localized pain and swelling. Applying ice to the affected area for short periods can help calm acute inflammation, while heat therapy may relax surrounding muscles and improve blood flow.
For bone spurs in the feet, wearing supportive footwear with adequate cushioning and custom orthotics helps redistribute pressure and minimizes the friction caused by the spur rubbing against the shoe or ground.
Advanced Medical Treatment Options
When conservative, at-home pain management is insufficient, professional medical interventions become necessary. A common next step is a corticosteroid injection, which delivers a potent anti-inflammatory medication directly into the painful area around the bone spur. These injections reduce swelling and irritation of the surrounding soft tissues, offering significant and often long-lasting pain relief.
For chronic nerve-related pain, a physician may recommend advanced procedures like radiofrequency ablation, which uses electrical currents to heat and disable the nerve sending pain signals from the affected joint. Another less invasive technique, sometimes used for smaller, localized spurs, is Tenex, which uses an ultrasonic probe to break up the bony tissue for natural reabsorption by the body.
Surgery is the only definitive way to physically remove a bone spur, a procedure known as an osteophytectomy. This is considered a last resort, usually reserved for cases where the spur severely limits mobility or causes neurological symptoms due to nerve compression. The procedure can often be performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopy, which involves small incisions and specialized tools to remove the physical projection.