How Do We Define Shoulder Bone Spurs Or Shoulder Osteophytes?
A Bone Spur or Osteophyte is a bony projection that forms on the edges of the bones and joints. These projections can be formed on any part of the body. This projection grows over normal bone and develops mainly due to a medical condition called as osteoarthritis. When these projections grow in the bones of the shoulders then they are termed as Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes. Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes can cause severe pain in the shoulders and can affect the range of motion of the shoulders
What Can Cause Shoulder Bone Spurs Or Shoulder Osteophytes?
As stated, osteoarthritis is the primary cause for the formation of Bone Spurs. They are usually caused due to natural wear and tear with aging and it is estimated that majority of people above 60 years of age have Bone Spurs at some part of their body or the other. A traumatic injury to the shoulder or shoulder instability can also cause Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shoulder Bone Spurs Or Shoulder Osteophytes?
Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes usually do not cause any symptoms unless the projections impinge a nerve root where the individual may experience significant amount of pain. Additionally, if the individual has a confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis then the severity of the pain magnifies, especially with activities. This is because with activities these bony projections tend to impinge on the adjacent nerves causing pain. This pain may be dull and achy but may become sharp with some type of movements. The pain becomes better with rest and a period of inactivity. Apart from pain individuals with Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes may experience reduced range of motion of the shoulders along with visible swelling and tenderness to palpation
How Is Shoulder Bone Spurs Or Shoulder Osteophytes Diagnosed?
To confirm the diagnosis of Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes, the treating physician will take a detailed history of the individual to look for any prior history of osteoarthritis. Apart from history taking, the physician will also perform a detailed examination of the shoulder to assess range of motion and reflexes along with presence of tenderness to palpation of the shoulders. The physician will then order radiological studies in the form of MRI scan to look at the internal structures of the shoulders which will in turn give a confirmatory diagnosis of Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes.
What Are Treatments For Shoulder Bone Spurs Or Shoulder Osteophytes?
There are two modes of treatment of Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes – Conservative and surgical.
Conservative approaches for treatment of Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes include using NSAIDs, stretching exercises, physical therapy for improvement of strength and endurance, application of ice for calming down swelling and inflammation, and adequate rest.
If these measures fail to control the symptoms, the treating physician may then consider corticosteroid injection to the painful area to reduce pain and inflammation.
If both the above treatment fails to relieve symptoms, then surgical procedure is required to remove the bony projections for symptoms relief from Shoulder Bone Spurs or Shoulder Osteophytes.
- Murthi, A. M., & Vosburgh, C. L. (2007). Shoulder Osteophytes: Indications for and Risks of Surgical Removal. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 16(6), S258-S262. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2007.04.019
- Kennedy, C. D., Huang, J., & Kelly, J. D. (2013). Shoulder Osteophytes: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 22(10), 1588-1597. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2013.03.005
- Smith, T. O., Drew, B. T., Toms, A. P., & Donell, S. T. (2011). Shoulder Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of the Clinical and Imaging Features, Diagnosis and Current Conservative Management. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 70(2), 176-183. doi:10.1136/ard.2009.126722
- Ghassemi, M., Morris, S. F., & Bidic, S. M. (2011). Intraoperative Assessment of Nerve Viability Using Nerve Stimulation. Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, 27(2), 121-128. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1270022
- Richmond, J. C., Bae, D. S., & Horowitz, J. H. (2010). Treatment of Shoulder Pain. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 18(1), 11-18. doi:10.5435/00124635-201001000-00003
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