Bone spurs are bony projections that develop
along the edges of bones. Bone spurs (osteophytes) often form where bones meet
each other — in your joints. They can also form on the bones of your spine.
The main cause of bone spurs is the joint
damage associated with osteoarthritis. Most bone spurs cause no symptoms and
may go undetected for years. They may not require treatment. Decisions about
treatment depend on where spurs are situated and how they affect your health.
Symptoms
Most bone spurs cause no signs or symptoms.
You might not realize you have bone spurs until an X-ray for another condition
reveals the growths. In some cases, though, bone spurs can cause pain and loss
of motion in your joints.
Specific symptoms depend on where the bone
spurs are. Examples include:
- Knee. Bone spurs in your knee may make it painful to extend and bend
your leg. The bony growths can get in the way of bones and tendons that
keep your knee operating smoothly.
- Spine. Bone spurs on your vertebrae can narrow the space that
contains your spinal cord. These bone spurs can pinch the spinal cord or
its nerve roots and can cause weakness or numbness in your arms or legs.
- Hip. Bone spurs can make it painful to move your hip, although you
might feel the pain in your knee. Depending on their placement, bone spurs
can reduce the range of motion in your hip joint.
- Shoulder. Bone spurs can rub on your rotator
cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that help control your shoulder
movements. This can cause swelling (tendinitis) and tears in your rotator
cuff.
- Fingers. Appearing as hard lumps under your skin, bone spurs can make
the joints in your fingers look knobby.
Causes
Joint damage from osteoarthritis is the most
common cause of bone spurs. As osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage
cushioning the ends of your bones, your body attempts to repair the loss by
creating bone spurs near the damaged area.
Remedies
for Bone Spurs
1. Cold
Compress
Regular use
of a cold compress will help reduce symptoms like pain, swelling and
inflammation due to a bone spur. It will also help relax the muscles in
the affected area.
- Put a few ice cubes in a thin towel
and tie it securely.
- Apply the ice pack over the affected
area and press gently.
- Do this for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Repeat this remedy as needed.
Note: Do
not apply ice directly on the skin as it may cause frostbite.
2. Ginger
Ginger is
another excellent home remedy for bone spurs. Being a natural
anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce pain, swelling as well as inflammation.
Moreover, it helps improve blood circulation.
- Drink ginger tea up to 3 times a day.
To make the tea, boil 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced ginger in 2 cups of
water for 10 minutes. Strain, add honey and drink it.
- Also, massage the affected area with
ginger oil a few times daily.
- Alternatively, you can take a dose
of two 500-milligram ginger tablets, 3 times a day, for extended
relief and treatment. Consult your doctor first.
3. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Apple cider
vinegar is also a good home remedy for bone spurs. Its anti-inflammatory
properties help reduce pain and inflammation. It also helps rebalance the
pH levels and prevent bone spurs.
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw,
unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 1 glass of water. Drink it twice a day
for best results.
- You can also put a paper towel soaked
in apple cider vinegar over the affected area. Leave it on for a few
hours. Do this a couple of times daily.
Follow these
remedies until the pain and inflammation are gone.
4.
Turmeric
Turmeric is
also beneficial for alleviating symptoms associated with bone spurs. Curcumin,
the yellow pigment in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
that help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to 1
cup of milk and heat it over low flame. Drink this twice a day for quick
recovery.
- Alternatively, you can take a turmeric
supplement of 400 to 600 mg, 3 times a day, but only after consulting your
doctor.
5.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed
contains alpha-linolenic acid, a form of omega-3 fatty acid that can help reduce
pain and inflammation.
- Soak a clean cloth in warm flaxseed
oil, then tie it on the affected area. Put a heating pad over the cloth to
keep the area warm. Use this treatment once daily.
- Another option is to tie 1 cup of
flaxseeds securely in a piece of cloth. Warm it in the microwave for a few
seconds. Place it over the affected area and apply pressure for a few
minutes. Repeat as needed. You can reuse the same flaxseed hot pack a
few times.
- Also, include flaxseeds in your diet
on a regular basis.
6.
Chamomile
Chamomile
can help bring great relief from the discomforts associated with bone spurs. It
has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that help reduce
inflammation and pain.
- Add 1 tablespoon of dried or fresh
chamomile flowers to a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes,
then allow it to cool. Use this water to wash the affected area.
- You can also drink 2 to 3 cups of
chamomile tea daily. To make this herbal tea, steep 2 teaspoons of
chamomile in a cup of water for 5 minutes and then strain it. You can also
add a little honey to sweeten it.
REMEMBER
Make an
appointment with your doctor if you have pain or swelling in one or more joints
or if you have difficulty moving a joint. Early treatment can help prevent or
slow further joint damage.