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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffBone spurs usually occur as a result of a disease or condition — commonly with osteoarthritis. As osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joint, your body attempts to repair the loss. Often this means creating new areas of bone along the edges of your existing bones.
Bone spurs are the hallmark of other diseases and conditions, including:
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). This condition causes bony growths to form on the ligaments of your spine.
- Plantar fasciitis. A bone spur, sometimes called a heel spur, can form where the connective tissue (fascia) connects to your heel bone (calcaneus). The spur results from chronic irritation or inflammation of the connective tissue, but the spur itself doesn't cause the pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
- Spondylosis. In this condition, osteoarthritis and bone spurs cause degeneration of the bones in your neck (cervical spondylosis) or your lower back (lumbar spondylosis).
- Spinal stenosis. Bone spurs can contribute to a narrowing of the bones that make up your spine (spinal stenosis), putting pressure on your spinal cord.
May be a normal part of aging
Bone spurs can also form on their own. They may be a part of aging. They've been found in older people who don't have osteoarthritis or other diseases.
Your body may create bone spurs to add stability to aging joints. Bone spurs may help redistribute your weight to protect areas of cartilage that are beginning to break down. For some people, bone spurs may actually provide a benefit, instead of being just painful.
- Spinal stenosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Spinal_Stenosis/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Cesare PE, et al. Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/170801601-3/916102101/1807/676.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10089-0--s0140_3295. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Osteoarthritis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec04/ch034/ch034e.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Mercier LR. Plantar Fasciitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/170801601-7/0/2088/504.html?tocnode=58133755&fromURL=504.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00025-3--sc0175_10381. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Rotator cuff tears and treatment options. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00406. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 27, 2009.
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