Cervical Bone Spurs: 5 Treatments

A stiff neck or nagging pain that radiates down your arm might seem like something you can ignore. But left unchecked, it can interfere with your sleep, your work, or even your ability to turn your head. In some cases, these symptoms are caused by cervical bone spurs.

Cervical bone spurs are extra bits of bone that form in the neck, usually as a result of aging or wear and tear. They’re not always painful. However, they can press on nearby nerves or the spinal cord, triggering discomfort, tingling, or weakness. It can even cause trouble with balance or coordination.

Fortunately, several effective treatments exist for cervical bone spurs. They can help relieve pressure, improve mobility, and get you back to feeling like yourself.

What Causes Cervical Bone Spurs?

Cervical bone spurs often develop gradually due to changes in your spine over time. Common causes and contributing factors include:

Aging
Osteoarthritis
Past injuries
Poor posture
Degenerative disc disease

Cervical Bone Spurs Symptoms

Many people with cervical bone spurs don’t realize they have them, at least not at first. When symptoms do appear, they can vary depending on whether the spurs are irritating nerves or the spinal cord.

Some signs to look out for include:

Neck pain or stiffness, especially after long periods of inactivity or with certain movements
Radiating pain that travels from the neck into the shoulders, arms, or upper back
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or hands
Headaches that start at the base of the skull and move upward
Difficulty with coordination or balance
Problems with fine motor skills

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your doctor check the issue, especially if they are new or getting worse.

5 Treatments for Cervical Bone Spurs

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether nerves or the spinal cord are involved. Sometimes, symptoms can be managed without surgery. In more severe cases, surgery may be the best option.

Physical therapy
Targeted exercises can boost your neck and shoulder strength. They also help improve your range of motion. Plus, they can fix poor posture that leads to symptoms. A physical therapist can also teach you movement strategies to reduce irritation during daily activities.
Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen help relieve pain and reduce inflammation around the affected joints. When used short-term, anti-inflammatories can help manage flare-ups.
Ergonomic and postural adjustments
Small changes in how you sit, sleep, and use devices can help reduce stress on your cervical spine. This can ease muscle tension and stop symptoms from getting worse.
Spinal injections
In some cases, doctors may recommend epidural steroid injections or facet joint injections to reduce inflammation and nerve irritation. These are typically used when oral medications and therapy haven’t provided enough relief. The injections can offer temporary relief and may help determine whether surgery is needed.
Surgical options
If non-surgical treatments don’t provide relief, or if there’s significant nerve or spinal cord compression, surgery may be recommended. Surgical procedures are designed to relieve pressure on affected nerves and restore function. Common surgical options include:
1. - Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF): ACDF is one of the most common procedures for cervical bone spurs. The surgeon removes a damaged disc and any bone spurs pressing on nearby nerves or the spinal cord through the front of the neck. The space is then filled with a bone graft or spacer, and the vertebrae are fused together using plates and screws for long-term stability.
  - Laminectomy: A laminectomy involves removing the back part of the vertebra, called the lamina, to widen the spinal canal. This procedure creates more space for the spinal cord and is often used in cases where the spinal cord is compressed at multiple levels.
  - Foraminotomy: A foraminotomy enlarges the small openings, called foramina, where nerve roots exit the spinal column. This process helps relieve pressure from bone spurs that are pinching the nerves.

See an Expert for Cervical Bone Spurs

If you’re dealing with ongoing neck pain, stiffness, or sensations like tingling or numbness in your arms or hands, don’t ignore it. These may be signs of cervical bone spurs pressing on nearby nerves. Prompt evaluation and treatment by an expert can prevent long-term nerve damage.

Don’t continue to live with the symptoms of cervical bone spurs – schedule an appointment today!