Cervical bone spurs

How to recognize cervical bone spurs?

It is not easy to recognize cervical bone spurs without X-rays, CT scan or MRI, but for those who are interested in finding out more about this condition, we are to mention some symptoms that are present in people who suffer from it. Among these symptoms, the most frequently present are pain that radiates towards the arm or leg, numbness and weakness in the muscles of neck, arms and legs, as well as disability in some cases, very serious pain in the back or neck and limited range of motion. If some of them are recognized, it is highly recommended to visit a doctor and do the necessary tests.

It might be important to be aware of the possible causes, because besides aging, which is the most common culprit for cervical bone spurs, injuries, poor posture, excessive weight might also result in their formation. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and a number of others that might result in breaking the cartilage can also be responsible for the occurrence of this condition, although even malnutrition has been identified as one of the possible causes.

Can cervical bone spurs be treated and how?

Having in mind the nature of this condition, the treatment depends on the cause and the symptoms experienced. In those cases in which no symptoms are present, the treatment is not necessary, while in cases in which bone spurs cause pain, the patient will probably be advised to take some pain relievers, muscle relaxants or even anti-inflammatories, since in some cases, besides the pain, stiffness and swelling might be present as well. Some patients might even have to wear a neck brace for some time, but regardless of the suggested treatment option, the fact is that everyone who is diagnosed with cervical bone spurs will need a lot of rest. Still, there are cases in which none of these methods will be helpful or effective enough, which is why the surgery in which the bone spurs will be removed will probably be the only solution. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the surgery will bring the relief either, because according to the statistics, chances of success are less than 50 %. Alternative methods of treatment might also be helpful in some cases, which is why yoga and massage, for example, should be given a chance.