Bone Spurs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada

Bone spurs are small, smooth growths of extra bone that form along the edges of normal bones, affecting millions of Canadians each year. Despite the name, they are not always sharp or pointed. In many cases, bone spurs cause no pain at all. However, when they press against nearby bones, tendons, or soft tissues, they can lead to significant discomfort and reduced movement.

What Causes Bone Spurs and Who Is at Risk?

Understanding what causes bone spurs and recognising bone spur symptoms early can help Canadians seek timely treatment and avoid complications. Whether the growths develop in your spine, feet, shoulders, or hands, effective osteophyte treatment options are available across Canada. This article explains why bone spurs form, how they are diagnosed, and what non-surgical and surgical treatments can help you find lasting relief.

What Are Bone Spurs?

Treatment Options for Bone Spurs: Comparing Approaches for Canadian Patients

Treatment Option	How It Works	Benefits	Considerations
Physiotherapy	Targeted exercises strengthen surrounding muscles and improve joint flexibility	Non-invasive; widely available through provincial health plans; reduces pain long-term	Requires consistent commitment; results may take several weeks
NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Naproxen)	Reduces inflammation and pain around the affected bone spur site	Accessible over-the-counter in Canada; provides relatively fast symptom relief	Not suitable for long-term use; may cause GI issues or interact with other medications
Corticosteroid Injections	Anti-inflammatory medication injected directly into the affected joint or tissue	Provides targeted, longer-lasting pain relief; often covered under provincial plans with referral	Limited to a few injections per year; temporary relief only; possible tissue weakening
Orthotics and Supportive Footwear	Custom or over-the-counter insoles redistribute pressure away from the bone spur	Non-invasive; custom orthotics may be partially covered by extended health benefits	Most effective for heel or foot bone spurs; not a curative solution
Surgical Removal	Bone spur is surgically removed when it compresses nerves or severely limits mobility	Provides permanent removal of the spur; significant functional improvement in appropriate candidates	Reserved for severe cases; involves recovery time; covered under provincial health insurance when medically necessary

A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is an extra piece of bone that grows on top of normal bone. The surface of a bone spur is usually smooth, not jagged. However, it can still cause problems by rubbing against other bones, ligaments, or tendons.

Bone spurs can form in many parts of the body. Common locations include the spine, shoulders, hands, hips, knees, and feet. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people with bone spurs do not even know they have them until an X-ray is taken for another reason.

Common Causes of Bone Spurs

Bone spurs form when the body tries to repair itself. In response to long-term pressure, friction, or stress on a bone, the body produces extra bone tissue. This is a natural but sometimes problematic healing response.

Aging and Osteoarthritis

One of the most common causes of bone spurs is aging. As we get older, the cartilage that covers the ends of our bones inside joints slowly wears away. This condition is called osteoarthritis. Without that cushioning layer, bones can rub together, triggering the growth of bone spurs along the joint edges.

This type of bone spur is especially common in the spine and feet. The spinal discs that sit between the vertebrae can also break down with age, adding further stress to the joints and encouraging spur formation.

Foot Problems and Lifestyle Factors

Bone spurs often form in the feet due to repeated stress and strain. Activities like running and dancing place high demands on foot structures. In addition, carrying excess body weight puts ongoing pressure on the feet and ankles.

One very common example involves the plantar fascia, a long ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot. When this ligament becomes tight and inflamed — a condition known as plantar fasciitis — it pulls on the heel bone. As the body tries to repair this stress, a heel spur can form on the underside of the heel bone.

Wearing poorly fitted shoes, especially tight or narrow footwear, can also trigger bone spurs. For example, frequently wearing high heels can cause a spur to develop at the back of the heel. This is particularly common in women who wear high heels regularly.

Shoulder Overuse

The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints in the body. Because of this, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the shoulder can rub against each other over time. The group of muscles that lifts and rotates the arm is called the rotator cuff. The tendons of the rotator cuff pass through a narrow space between the top of the shoulder and the upper arm bone.

Bone spurs can form in this tight space, squeezing the tendons and causing irritation, inflammation, and pain. This condition is called rotator cuff tendinitis. It is more common with age and with repeated overhead movements. Athletes such as baseball players, and workers like painters who frequently raise their arms overhead, are at higher risk.

Recognising the Symptoms of Bone Spurs

Many people have bone spurs and feel nothing at all. In fact, bone spurs often go undetected for years. However, when a bone spur presses on nearby tissue, symptoms can develop.

Common symptoms of bone spurs include:

• Pain in the affected joint, especially during movement
• Swelling and inflammation around the joint
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Weakness in the affected area, especially in the shoulder
• Corns or calluses on the foot, caused by skin thickening over a spur
• Tenderness when pressing on the heel or sole of the foot

Furthermore, if a bone spur in the shoulder is left untreated, it can eventually cause a tendon to tear. Therefore, it is important not to ignore persistent joint pain. Healthline provides a helpful overview of bone spur symptoms and when they may need medical attention.

How Are Bone Spurs Diagnosed?

Bone spurs are usually visible on a standard X-ray. However, because most bone spurs cause no symptoms, doctors do not typically order X-rays just to look for them. Instead, bone spurs are often discovered incidentally during imaging done for another purpose, such as diagnosing arthritis or investigating joint pain.

Your family doctor will review your symptoms, examine the affected area, and may refer you for imaging if needed. In some cases, an MRI or ultrasound may be ordered to assess damage to surrounding soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.

Treatment Options for Bone Spurs

Not all bone spurs need treatment. If a bone spur is not causing pain or limiting your movement, your doctor may simply monitor it over time. Treatment is only recommended when bone spurs cause symptoms or damage nearby tissue.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Most bone spur cases can be managed without surgery. Non-surgical treatment options include:

• Rest and ice: Reducing activity and applying ice to the affected area helps control pain and swelling.
• Stretching exercises: Gentle stretching of the Achilles tendon and the sole of the foot can relieve pressure from heel spurs. A physiotherapist can guide you through the right exercises.
• Weight management: Losing excess weight reduces the load on joints, especially helpful when osteoarthritis or plantar fasciitis is involved.
• Footwear changes: Switching to properly fitted, supportive shoes can make a significant difference. Adding cushioning insoles or protective padding inside the shoe also helps.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can reduce pain and inflammation. Always follow the label directions or ask your pharmacist.
• Physiotherapy: A registered physiotherapist can use treatments such as therapeutic ultrasound to help manage plantar fasciitis and shoulder pain related to bone spurs.
• Joint protection education: For those with osteoarthritis, learning how to protect your joints during daily activities can slow further damage and reduce pain.

As a result of these conservative measures, many people experience significant improvement without ever needing surgery. Health Canada encourages Canadians to explore non-invasive options first when managing musculoskeletal conditions.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is considered only when conservative treatments have failed and the bone spur continues to cause serious pain or tissue damage. During surgery, the bone spur is removed. Recovery time varies depending on the location and the extent of any surrounding tissue damage. Your specialist will discuss the risks and benefits with you before recommending this option.

When to See a Doctor

You should speak with your family doctor if you have persistent joint pain, swelling, or stiffness that does not improve with rest. If your regular family doctor is not immediately available, a walk-in clinic can assess your symptoms and arrange imaging if needed.

Seek prompt medical attention if you experience sudden severe pain, significant loss of movement, or numbness and tingling in your arms or legs. These symptoms could suggest that a bone spur is pressing on a nerve or has caused a tendon tear.

Keep in mind that early assessment leads to better outcomes. Provincial health plans across Canada cover visits to family doctors and walk-in clinics, so do not hesitate to get checked out. As always, the information in this article is for general education only — please consult a qualified healthcare provider for advice specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Spurs

Key Takeaways

• Bone spurs are smooth, extra growths of bone that develop in response to long-term pressure or joint wear.
• They commonly form in the feet, spine, and shoulders, but can appear anywhere in the body.
• Many bone spurs cause no symptoms and are discovered only through X-rays taken for other reasons.
• When symptoms do occur, they include pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement in the affected joint.
• Most cases respond well to non-surgical treatments such as rest, stretching, physiotherapy, footwear changes, and weight management.
• Surgery is a last resort and is only recommended when conservative care fails.
• If you are experiencing persistent joint pain, speak with your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic — your provincial health plan covers these visits.
• Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.