Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are small bony growths that can form on the edges of bones—typically where bones meet in joints or along the spine. Many people have bone spurs without even knowing it, as they may not cause any pain. However, when a bone spur starts to press against nearby nerves, ligaments, or other soft tissues, it can lead to discomfort, stiffness, or mobility issues.

Understanding what a bone spur is and how it affects your body is important, especially if you’re experiencing foot pain or joint pain or stiffness.

Causes of Bone Spurs

Bone spurs usually develop as a response to long-term stress or wear and tear on the body. Here are some of the most common causes:

Osteoarthritis

One of the most common causes, osteoarthritis breaks down cartilage in joints. The body tries to repair itself by forming new bone, which can lead to the development of bone spurs.

Injuries

Trauma to joints or tendons can trigger the body’s repair mechanism. During healing, extra bone growth may occur at the site of the injury causing foot pain.

Repetitive Use

Activities or movements that put repeated stress on certain joints can cause inflammation and stimulate bone spur formation over time resulting in foot pain.

Aging

As you age, the cartilage that cushions your joints begins to wear down. This can result in bones rubbing against each other, which encourages the formation of bone spurs resulting in foot pain.

Other Contributing Factors for Foot Pain

Additional risk factors include tight ligaments, carrying excess body weight, and wearing poorly fitted shoes, especially when it comes to foot bone spurs.

Common Symptoms of Bone Spurs

Although not all bone spurs cause symptoms, you may notice the following if they begin to interfere with surrounding tissues or nerves:

Foot Pain: Often felt during movement, especially in affected joints like the heels, knees, shoulders, or spine.
Stiffness: Bone spurs can make it harder to move joints freely, causing a “locked” or stiff feeling causing foot pain.
Swelling: Inflammation around the spur may cause noticeable swelling or tenderness causing foot pain.
Numbness or Tingling: If a bone spur presses against a nerve, it can lead to sensations of numbness, tingling, or even weakness causing foot pain.

How Bone Spurs Are Diagnosed by A Podiatrist

To confirm the presence of bone spurs, your foot doctor may perform the following tests:

X-rays

An X-ray can clearly show bony growths and help rule out other conditions like fractures or arthritis.

MRI

If a more detailed view of the soft tissues is needed, such as to check for nerve involvement or ligament damage, an MRI scan may be used.

Treatment Options for Bone Spurs

The best treatment for a bone spur depends on its location, severity, and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Here are common approaches used by our board-certified podiatrists:

Conservative Treatment

Using the R.I.C.E method—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—along with over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease mild discomfort and inflammation providing foot pain relief.

Physical Therapy

A customized exercise plan can improve joint flexibility, build strength, and reduce stress on the affected area with foot pain relief.

Corticosteroid Injections

When foot pain is persistent, a steroid injection may help by reducing inflammation in the joint or around the nerve being affected.

Surgery

If bone spurs significantly impact movement or nerve function and other treatments haven’t helped, your board certified podiatrist may recommend surgery to remove the spur or repair the joint.

When to See a Board-Certified Podiatrist for Foot Pain Relief

If you’re experiencing unexplained joint pain, stiffness, or numbness, don’t ignore it. The sooner a board certified podiatrist evaluates your symptoms, the easier it is to manage and treat the foot pain before it worsens.

At Your Total Foot Care Specialist, our board certified podiatrists can assess whether your symptoms are related to bone spurs and guide you through the most effective treatment plan for foot pain relief.

📞 Call us at (281) 395-3338 or schedule an appointment today.