Bone spur facts
A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.
Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation, such as from degenerative arthritis or tendonitis.
Bone spurs develop in areas of inflammation or injury of nearby cartilage or tendons.
Bone spurs may or may not cause symptoms. When they do cause symptoms, the symptoms depend on their location.
Bone spurs can be associated with pain, numbness, tenderness, and weakness if they are irritating adjacent tissues.
Bone spurs are detected by radiologic testing, such as with plain X-rays, ultrasound imaging, MRI scan, CT scan, and myelograms.
Bone spurs are treated only if they are causing symptoms. Initial treatment is directed toward decreasing inflammation and avoiding re injury when possible.
What is a bone spur?
What causes bone spurs?A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation, such as from degenerative arthritis osteoarthritis or tendinitis. This inflammation stimulates the cells that form bone to deposit bone in this area, eventually leading to a bony prominence or spur. For example, inflammation of the ligament that surrounds a degenerating disc between the vertebrae the bony building blocks of the spine is a very common cause of bone spurs of the spine. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can lead to the formation of a bone spur at the back of the heel bone calcaneus bone. Inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the foot, plantar fasciitis, can lead to a bone spur at the underside of the heel bone. These bone spurs are sometimes referred to as heel spurs. A bone spur is medically referred to as an osteophyte.
How are heel spurs and plantar fasciitis treated?
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are treated by measures that decrease the associated inflammation and avoid reinjury. Local ice applications both reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy methods, including stretching exercises, are used to treat and prevent plantar fasciitis. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or injections of cortisone, are often helpful.
Orthotic devices or shoe inserts are used to take pressure off plantar spurs donut-shaped insert, and heel lifts can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon to relieve painful spurs at the back of the heel. Similarly, sports running shoes with soft, cushioned soles can be helpful in reducing irritation of inflamed tissues from both plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Infrequently, surgery is performed on chronically inflamed spurs.
What is the prognosis outlook of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis?
The outlook is generally good. The inflammation usually responds to conservative, nonsurgical treatments. Infrequently, surgical intervention is necessary.
Can heel spurs and plantar fasciitis be prevented?
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can only be prevented by treating any underlying associated inflammatory disease.
A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.
Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation, such as from degenerative arthritis or tendonitis.
Bone spurs develop in areas of inflammation or injury of nearby cartilage or tendons.
Bone spurs may or may not cause symptoms. When they do cause symptoms, the symptoms depend on their location.
Bone spurs can be associated with pain, numbness, tenderness, and weakness if they are irritating adjacent tissues.
Bone spurs are detected by radiologic testing, such as with plain X-rays, ultrasound imaging, MRI scan, CT scan, and myelograms.
Bone spurs are treated only if they are causing symptoms. Initial treatment is directed toward decreasing inflammation and avoiding re injury when possible.
What is a bone spur?
What causes bone spurs?A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation, such as from degenerative arthritis osteoarthritis or tendinitis. This inflammation stimulates the cells that form bone to deposit bone in this area, eventually leading to a bony prominence or spur. For example, inflammation of the ligament that surrounds a degenerating disc between the vertebrae the bony building blocks of the spine is a very common cause of bone spurs of the spine. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can lead to the formation of a bone spur at the back of the heel bone calcaneus bone. Inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the foot, plantar fasciitis, can lead to a bone spur at the underside of the heel bone. These bone spurs are sometimes referred to as heel spurs. A bone spur is medically referred to as an osteophyte.
How are heel spurs and plantar fasciitis treated?
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are treated by measures that decrease the associated inflammation and avoid reinjury. Local ice applications both reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy methods, including stretching exercises, are used to treat and prevent plantar fasciitis. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or injections of cortisone, are often helpful.
Orthotic devices or shoe inserts are used to take pressure off plantar spurs donut-shaped insert, and heel lifts can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon to relieve painful spurs at the back of the heel. Similarly, sports running shoes with soft, cushioned soles can be helpful in reducing irritation of inflamed tissues from both plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Infrequently, surgery is performed on chronically inflamed spurs.
What is the prognosis outlook of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis?
The outlook is generally good. The inflammation usually responds to conservative, nonsurgical treatments. Infrequently, surgical intervention is necessary.
Can heel spurs and plantar fasciitis be prevented?
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can only be prevented by treating any underlying associated inflammatory disease.
No comments:
Post a Comment