What are Bone Spurs?A bone spur is a small outgrowth or bony projection on the bone at a joint also called Osteophytes. They form most often in the heels (hence the term ‘spur’) but they can also form on the spine, the shoulders, the hands, the bottom of the foot and the hips. Although bone spurs are actually bone growth and usually smooth, they can cause pain if they strike against something, rub against other bones or soft tissue or if they are pressing on a nerve in the area. Bone spurs are not usually the result of traumatic injury, but rather of stress or pressure on a given area. They are generally the result of the body attempting to heal itself by growing a new bone. Is it possible to get rid of bone spurs without surgery? Understanding how to get rid of bone spurs involves first learning why they form, and how to prevent them for the future. Having surgery to remove a spur will be fruitless if you have not changed the conditions that caused it in the first place. Because the body is experiencing some kind of minute injury that is recurring over and over to create the conditions where it judges extra bone is needed, you must remove this cause or simply suffer more spurs in the same area. Spurs on the foot and heel are most often caused by stress produced by ill fitting shoes, by obesity, by arthritis or simply by age. If you want to deal with bone spurs that you currently have, the approach will depend upon whether you are in pain from it or not. If the spur is in your heel or foot, try changing footwear or increasing the cushioning in the existing pair of shoes. Research has indicated that bone spurs and calcium deposits can be dissolved with nutritional supplements, but if the pain is intense you may need to opt for removal by surgery. To prevent bone spurs you need to follow a plan for optimum bone health. You also need to avoid the minute injury of daily abuse – too small shoes, too high of heels, too much repetitive motion etc. Although surgery can remove painful spurs, it is better to avoid getting them in the first place. Protect your heels, wear shoes that truly fit your foot, and try to avoid repetitive motion as much as possible. Combined with good nutrition and supplements you can avoid getting bone spurs.
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