What is a Bone Spur?

What is a Bone Spur?

An image of an extending bone spur in the heel.

A bone spur, or osteophyte, is an extra bit of bone that forms along the edge of a joint, often where cartilage has worn down or where a tendon or ligament repeatedly pulls on the bone. In the foot, spurs commonly develop on the heel, the top of the midfoot, or around the big toe joint. They can cause pain, restrict motion, or press against nerves and soft tissue, but a spur that isn't causing symptoms doesn't necessarily need to be treated.

Diagnosis

Bone spurs are diagnosed with a physical exam and confirmed with an X-ray, which shows the size and location of the growth. Dr. Moy also evaluates where the spur sits relative to the joint to determine whether it's contributing to your symptoms or is an incidental finding.

Treatment Options

Conservative care, such as shoe modification, padding, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory treatment, is tried first for many spurs. When surgery is needed, a large majority of bone spurs can be treated with minimal incision surgery. Consequently, the healing time is extremely short and the patient can walk immediately afterward.

There are a couple of exceptions, such as surgically treated heel spurs on the bottom of the heel or on the back of the heel, which may require a slightly more involved approach and a longer recovery.

When to See a Surgeon

Consider a surgical consultation if a bone spur continues to cause pain after conservative treatment, limits your range of motion, or makes it difficult to wear normal shoes.