A bone spur is the name given to an abnormal bony surface protrusion as a result of abnormal bone growth. Bone spurs can develop on any bone but are usually found in the feet, elbow, and spine. In majority of the cases, bone spurs are asymptomatic but there have been cases where they have caused symptoms. Bone spurs sometimes have the tendency to cause severe pain in the affected area and prohibit normal movement of the joint on the affected area.
Treatment for a bone spur normally begins with conservative measures which include administration of antiinflammatory agents followed by corticosteroid injections if medications are ineffective. Only when these conservative measures fail in alleviating the symptoms of bone spur is surgical intervention considered. The surgery for bone spur is aimed at removing the bone spur completely from the bone providing relief of symptoms for the patient. The procedure done is termed as Bone Spur Removal Surgery.
How Is Bone Spur Removal Procedure Done?
As stated, a surgery for bone spur is done as a last resort after all forms of conservative treatments have failed in alleviating the symptoms of bone spur for the patient. Bone spur removal surgery is done under local anesthesia. Once appropriate anesthetic effect has been achieved, an incision is made over the area of the bone spur. A minature camera is them inserted through the incision and the area of the bone spur is inspected. Once this is performed, then the surgeon inserts instruments which are utilized to completely excise the bone spur from the bone. The bone surface from where the spur has been removed is then leveled after which the wound is closed and approximated with sutures. The bone that has been excised is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. Once through with the surgery, the patient is then sent to the recovery room for observation and is discharged once the treating physician deems appropriate.
If the bone spur surgery is done for the upper extremities then the patient may have to be in a sling for a period of a few days until the wounds are healed before getting back to normal activities of daily living.
If the bone spur surgery is performed for the lower extremities then the patient may have to be on crutches for a period of a week or two before they can ambulate unassisted and gradually get back to normal activities after surgery for bone spur.
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