How to Dissolve Bone Spurs Naturally?

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are small lumps of bone tissue that form on an existing bone. They usually develop in joints, like the spine’s facet joints, because of increased friction. 

If you’re struggling with pain or neurological symptoms from bone spurs, you may wonder if you can eliminate them naturally. While you can’t dissolve bone spurs, you can alleviate their symptoms with various treatments, many of which are non-invasive.

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Keep reading to learn about the treatment options available to you for bone spurs. 

Clinical Symptoms of Bone Spurs

The clinical symptoms of bone spurs include:

  • Swelling and inflammation in the affected area
  • Dull back pain
  • Pain that radiates from the back to the extremities
  • Muscle cramps, spasms, or weakness
  • Pain that radiates from the affected spinal joint into the extremities
  • Tingling, burning, or numbness in the extremities
  • Reduced coordination in the affected part of the body

Generally, a bone spur in the lumbar spine triggers symptoms that originate in the lower back and travel down to the legs. 

What Causes Spinal Bone Spurs?

Various factors can lead to bone spurs, including:

  • Osteoarthritis: The most common cause of spinal bone spurs, osteoarthritis breaks down the protective cartilage within the joints. In an attempt to compensate for the damage, the body may develop bone spurs in the affected area. 
  • Traumatic injuries: Traumatic injuries like a major sports injury or fall can lead to bone spurs. If a joint or tendon is injured, a bone spur can form as your body’s response to the damage. 
  • Overuse: The overuse of a joint can lead to tissue damage, which may trigger bone spurs. Athletes involved in high-impact activities, like running and weight lifting, are more likely than others to develop bone spurs from overuse. 
  • Spinal conditions: Certain spinal conditions can significantly increase your risk of bone spurs in the facet joints. These conditions include:
    • Spondylolisthesis, when a vertebra slips out of position, can increase friction within the spinal joints and may cause bone spurs. 
    • Spinal stenosis, the shrinking of the spinal canal, can both cause and be caused by bone spurs. 
    • Degenerative disc disease involves age-related wear and tear on the spinal discs. The discs prevent friction between the bones of the spine and as they break down, bone spurs may form. 

Risk Factors for Bone Spurs

The factors listed above can directly lead to bone spurs. The risk factors listed below can further increase your risk of bone spurs:

  • Older age, which leads to thickened spinal ligaments and weakened discs
  • Genetics and congenital spinal defects, which can give you a predisposition to bone spurs
  • Poor posture, which can increase the impact on your spine with daily motions
  • Poor nutrition, as the body requires certain nutrients for optimal bone health
  • Being overweight, which accelerates spinal degeneration

Can Bone Spurs Reabsorb?

No, bone spurs can’t resorb. After they’ve developed, the only way to remove a bone spur is with surgery. 

With that said, surgery is usually the last resort to alleviate bone spur symptoms. Most patients can achieve relief with conservative methods, like physical therapy and rest, which give the irritated nerve a chance to heal. 

Can a Bone Spur Go Away Without Surgery?

No, a bone spur can’t go away without surgery. This is because the body can’t remove bone tissue on its own once it’s developed. 

Again, it’s worth noting that the vast majority of patients don’t require surgery to treat bone spurs successfully. Some people don’t even experience symptoms from bone spurs, in which case they don’t require any form of treatment. Typically, bone spurs only trigger symptoms if they affect a nearby nerve. 

What Procedure is Used for Spinal Bone Spur Surgery?

The surgical procedure used for spinal bone spurs is usually laminectomy. Laminectomy involves removing part of the lamina, a piece of bone that covers the back of the spinal cord. Removing some or all of it can alleviate pressure on the irritated nerve. 

Laminectomy is categorized as a spinal decompression procedure. While it alleviates pressure on the spinal nerves, it can also destabilize the spine. To prevent injuries from an unstable spine, laminectomy is often performed with spinal fusion, which permanently fuses the affected vertebrae. 

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Individuals with bone spurs from lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis can consider the TOPS System as an alternative to spinal fusion. This FDA-approved, dynamic spinal implant moves with the spine in all directions, preventing the limited mobility associated with fusion.  

Can Magnesium Get Rid of Bone Spurs?

While magnesium can’t directly get rid of bone spurs, it may help reduce bone spur development in combination with vitamin C. 

The role of magnesium in bone spur prevention is linked to its role in various bodily processes involving inflammation. Additionally, magnesium deficiency is a known risk factor for osteoarthritis, increased inflammation, and cartilage damage. 

A 2021 clinical study found that magnesium alone wasn’t sufficient to significantly reduce inflammation and promote cartilage regenerative in cases of osteoarthritis. However, the researchers found that when magnesium is combined with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, it may curb bone spur development and ease inflammation in damaged joints. 

So, while magnesium certainly isn’t a cure for bone spurs, preventing magnesium deficiency with a balanced diet and supplementation (if needed) may lower your risk of osteoarthritis, a prevalent cause of bone spurs. 

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease With Bone Spurs?

Degenerative disc disease with bone spurs occurs when the intervertebral discs are damaged from gradual wear and tear, causing increased friction within the spine. This friction and impact can lead to bone spurs. 

Oftentimes, individuals with degenerative disc disease experience spinal instability. This instability occurs as the discs become thinner and weaker. Spinal instability is linked to a specific type of bone spurs: enthesophytes. 

Enthesophytes result from inflammation of the enthesis, a portion of connective tissue that links soft tissue (i.e. a ligament) to bone tissue. Degenerative disc disease causes the ligaments that link vertebrae to loosen, causing instability. This increases the impact on the ligaments, leading to inflammation of the enthesis and, in some cases, enthesophytes. 

Keep in mind that bone spurs are a relatively common complication of degenerative disc disease. With prompt treatment, your physician can likely treat your symptoms without surgery. 

What Is the Fastest Way to Heal a Bone Spur?

The fastest way to heal a bone spur is with rest, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. If these methods don’t work, you may need surgery to effectively treat a bone spur. 

  • Physical therapy for bone spurs involves personalized exercises to take pressure off of the spinal nerves and reduce joint inflammation. Your PT may also work to correct imbalanced movement patterns. Some PTs offer complementary therapies, like heat/cold therapy, massage, and electromagnetic stimulation, to accelerate the recovery process. 
  • Lifestyle adjustments that can help heal bone spurs include:
    • Staying active with low-impact exercise
    • Avoiding overextending or straining the spine
    • Quitting smoking
    • Reaching a healthy weight
    • Wearing supportive shoes
    • Investing in a desk chair with excellent spinal support
    • Eating a nutritious diet
  • Surgery for bone spurs involves decompressing the spine to release the pressure on the affected nerves. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a bone spur, schedule an appointment with a physician in your area for an evaluation.