What can be done for bone spurs in lower back?
James Craig
Published Jan 20, 2026
Nonsurgical treatments include:
- Medications. Medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants may be recommended. ...
- Short periods of rest. ...
- Physical therapy and exercise. ...
- Spinal manipulation. ...
- Weight loss. ...
- Injections. ...
- Bone spur removal. ...
- Laminectomy.
How do you get rid of bone spurs in your back?
Do They Go Away? Once a bone spur is grown, it will not disappear or reabsorb. There is no way to get rid of a bone spur besides cutting it off, but this is typically not recommended, unless the spur is critically compressing a nerve or the spinal cord, causing weakness.
What causes bone spurs in your lower back?
Spinal bone spurs often form as a result of chronic inflammation, which can develop within areas where cartilage has worn away due to spinal arthritis. This condition breaks down the cartilage that cushions the ends of bone. As your body attempts to repair this loss, it can create bone spurs near the damaged area.
How serious are bone spurs on the spine?
On your vertebrae, bone spurs can narrow the space that contains your spinal cord. These bone spurs can pinch the spinal cord or its nerve roots and can cause weakness or numbness in your arms or legs. Hip. Bone spurs can make it painful to move your hip, although you might feel the pain in your knee.
What is the best treatment for bone spurs?
How are bone spurs treated?
- Ice to reduce swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
- Rest.
- Supportive shoes or shoe inserts.
- Weight loss to decrease joint and bone stress.
How do you get rid of bone spurs without surgery?
Nonsurgical Treatment for Bone Spurs
- Medications. Medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants may be recommended. ...
- Short periods of rest. ...
- Physical therapy and exercise. ...
- Spinal manipulation. ...
- Weight loss. ...
- Injections. ...
- Bone spur removal. ...
- Laminectomy.
Can a bone spur go away without surgery?
Because, without surgery, we can only control the pressure and tension hitting your bone spur. But we can't stop it completely. That's why, if you want a cure for bone spurs, you'll have to look at more invasive options. Because the only way for a spur to be completely removed is with surgery.
Do bone spurs keep growing?
Although the name “spur” suggests something sharp, bone spurs are usually smooth and may or may not cause any symptoms. Over time, a bone spur may continue to grow, leading to painful irritation of surrounding soft tissue like tendons, ligaments or nerves.
How long does it take to recover from a bone spur surgery?
How long does it take to recover from a bone spur surgery? Recovery from bone spur surgery can take 2 to 4 weeks. Recovering from a bone spur is relatively short and depends where the surgery is performed. Sutures can be removed after 2 and it will take approximately 2 more weeks to get back into shoes comfortably.
What vitamin is good for bone spurs?
Vitamin K2 plays an important role in joint health. When soft tissue or joints are damaged due to injury or stress, the body responds with inflammation and repair. This process can result in scar tissue accumulation and over many years can build up causing bone spurs and permanent damage.
Can bone spurs on the spine be removed?
Bone spurs can develop in several parts of the body, but when they grow on the spine and cause severe symptoms, removing them is an option. Luckily, the recovery time from this surgical procedure usually proceeds quickly and smoothly, according to Endoscopic Spine Surgeon Dr. Kaixuan Liu.
Can you reverse bone spurs?
Steroid injections are often recommended but are toxic to tissue (6) Surgery is often used when conservative options have failed. If the underlying cause of the bone spur is not identified and treated the bone spur typically reoccurs.
Do bone spurs heal?
Most people don't realize they have a heel spur until they seek help for heel pain. Heel spurs can't be cured. Healthcare providers recommend non-surgical treatments to ease symptoms associated with heel spurs.
What are the symptoms of bone spurs on the spine?
Bone Spurs in the Low Back (Lumbar Spine)
- Dull pain in lower back when standing or walking.
- Pain, numbness, or tingling into the buttocks and back of the thigh(s)
- Weakness in one or both legs.
- Pain relief when bending forward and flexing at the waist, such as leaning over a shopping cart or over a cane.
Can a chiropractor help with bone spurs in the back?
Why Choose Chiropractic Care. When bone spurs occur, chiropractic care can help repair the problem and improve your flexibility. By repairing the original reason for the spur, the body can then start to re-absorb the bone spur which will help relieve the discomfort and associated symptoms.
When should bone spurs be removed?
Bone spurs can be surgically removed or treated as part of a surgery to repair or replace a joint when osteoarthritis has caused considerable damage and deformity. Examples might include repair of a bunion or heel spur in the foot or removal of small spurs underneath the point of the shoulder.
Do they operate on bone spurs?
A bone spur repair is surgery to remove a bone spur, a bony growth that forms on normal bone. Your doctor made one or more small cuts called incisions near the bone spur. Then the doctor used small tools to remove the piece of bone.
Do bone spurs show on MRI?
While bone spurs show up on an MRI scan, X-ray images are the best option for detecting these. MRI is better for looking at soft tissue over bone. Compared to other medical imaging techniques, MRI scans are highly sensitive and provide detailed images.
Are bone spurs painful?
The spurs themselves are not painful…..but they cause pain when they affect nearby structures. Bone spur development is common with age, as the body's joints, tendons and ligaments undergo natural degenerative changes. In a lot of cases, bone spurs are small and non-painful.
Does Epsom salt help bone spurs?
By adding Epsom salt to a small tub of warm water, it is possible to soak feet and relieve some of the inflammation from the heel spurs. It is only necessary to add 1 cup to a foot soak. Since Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, it can naturally reduce inflammation just like taking magnesium capsules can.
What type of arthritis causes bone spurs?
The most common cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. The cushioning between your joints and the bones of your spine can wear down with age. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout can also damage your joints.
Whats a bone spur look like?
Bone spurs look like hard lumps under the skin and can make the joints in the fingers appear knobby. Shoulder. Bone spurs can rub against the rotator cuff, which controls shoulder movement. This can lead to shoulder tendinitis and can even tear the rotator cuff.
Does magnesium help with bone spurs?
The researchers suggested that the combination of magnesium and vitamin C could inhibit bone spur formation and reduce inflammation in the knee synovium.
Does vitamin C cause bone spurs?
Cause bone spurs
According to the Arthritis Foundation, one study found that the presence of very high vitamin C levels in the body increased the likelihood of a person developing painful bone spurs.
How painful is laminectomy surgery?
Although some people go home the same day, most are admitted to the hospital for at least one day. You will feel pain in your lower back. You'll be provided pain medication. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may need help getting out of bed and walking for up to a few days after the laminectomy.