If you’ve been told you have a bone spur, you might be wondering: do I really need surgery? The answer, in most cases, is no. Most bone spurs aren’t the actual cause of your pain — they’re simply your body’s response to stress, instability, or inflammation. In this blog, we’ll break down what bone spurs really are, why they form, and what non-surgical treatments can offer lasting relief.
What Is a Bone Spur?
A bone spur — also called an osteophyte or enthesophyte — is an extra piece of calcification that forms on the edge of a joint, tendon, or ligament. It’s your body’s way of trying to stabilize an area that’s inflamed or unstable, much like placing a folded napkin under a wobbly table leg.
Bone spurs are most common in the knee, shoulder, spine, hips, elbows, or feet, and even around tendons like the Achilles tendon or rotator cuff.
Why Do Bone Spurs Form?
There are two primary reasons:
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Instability: When a joint or tendon becomes unstable due to injury or weakness, the body lays down calcification to provide support.
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Chronic inflammation: Conditions like arthritis or tendonitis can trigger excess calcification over time.
In both cases, the bone spur is not the root cause — it’s a symptom of a deeper issue.
Do Bone Spurs Cause Pain?
Surprisingly, most bone spurs don’t cause pain. Many people discover them incidentally during imaging for other issues. Pain is usually caused by irritated soft tissue, inflammation, or nerve sensitivity — not the spur itself.
However, in some cases, bone spurs can be problematic:
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Impingement: When a spur pinches nearby tissue, especially in tight spaces like the rotator cuff or hip socket.
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Blocked movement: If a spur physically limits joint range of motion.
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Nerve compression: Spurs near the spine can press on nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
How We Treat Bone Spurs Without Surgery
At Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine, we use a comprehensive, non-surgical approach:
1. Address the Root Cause
We ask: Is the real issue instability, inflammation, or nerve compression? Treating that is more effective than simply removing the spur.
2. Strengthen and Stabilize
Physical therapy and targeted exercises help improve joint stability and muscle support, reducing the mechanical stress that leads to spur formation.
3. Reduce Inflammation
An anti-inflammatory nutrition plan, supplements, and (when needed) medications help calm chronic inflammation and support healing.
4. Use Regenerative Injections
We offer non-surgical treatments like:
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Prolotherapy
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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
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Bone Marrow Stem Cells
These therapies can help repair damaged tissue and strengthen ligaments and tendons — all without cutting or removing anything.
5. Monitor Over Time
If the bone spur isn’t causing mechanical or nerve issues, we’ll simply keep an eye on it. Most patients improve without needing surgery.
When Is Surgery Considered?
Surgery might be necessary only if:
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You’ve tried conservative treatments without relief.
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The spur is pressing on a nerve and causing weakness.
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It’s clearly blocking joint motion or damaging tissue.
Even then, we aim for minimally invasive options and avoid procedures that create more instability.
Common Questions
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Will the spur go away?
Usually not — but that’s okay if it’s not causing problems. -
Can I prevent them?
Yes, by staying active, reducing inflammation early, and keeping muscles around joints strong. -
Do I need surgery right away?
Always consider a second opinion, especially if you haven’t tried non-surgical options.
Final Thoughts
Bone spurs are often misunderstood. They’re usually not the true cause of pain and don’t always require removal. With the right approach — targeting instability, inflammation, and tissue health — you can often avoid surgery and get lasting relief.
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