Osteophyte refers to a bone growth. This new bone formation is mostly caused by wear-related joint diseases.
What is an osteophyte?
An osteophyte is a bony outgrowth covered by smooth fibrocartilage. In most cases, it forms in degenerative bone changes at the edge of joint surfaces. The purpose of this new bone growth is the body’s attempt to relieve pressure on the joint surfaces. In doing so, it distributes the pressure over a larger area. While the osteophyte structure appears spongy at first, it gains more strength as it progresses. Osteophytes are also referred to as bone spurs. The bone attachment is either sharp-edged or rounded. The osteophyte itself does not cause painful symptoms. However, pain can result from pressure on adjacent tissues, ligaments, tendons, bones or nerves. Most patients do not notice the bone spur for years. People over the age of 60 are particularly affected by osteophytes. Thus, the risk of bone spurs increases with age. Women over the age of 50 are more likely to suffer from osteophytes on the ankle than men.
Causes
Joint changes that result in joint remodeling are considered the most common cause of osteophytes. These primarily include osteoarthritis or pathological changes. Sometimes the bone spurs also serve as an adaptation to stabilize a joint. The connection to older age results from the fact that degenerative changes in the joints occur more frequently in this age group. Mechanical stimuli due to cartilage damage have a stimulating effect on a bone spur. In the knee, osteophyte formation can also be promoted by a cruciate ligament tear. In addition, there is a relationship between osteophyte formation and local inflammation such as arthritis or tendinitis. In addition, there are bone spur forms that are already congenital. Cartilage damage in the joints is caused by excessive mechanical stress. Over time, the affected area becomes increasingly rough and worn, which in turn has a negative effect on joint movements. It also accelerates the release of certain enzymes that have the property of breaking down cartilage more rapidly. This process initiates the development of osteophytes. Also of great importance for the development process of osteophytes is an exposure of mediators and growth factors. Thus, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-Beta) plays a major role in the formation and development of bone spurs. Included in osteophytes are chondrocytes, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, prechondrocytes, and hypertrophic chondrocytes. Type II collagen is considered the best-known component of bone spurs.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
It is not uncommon for osteophytes to cause no symptoms for years. However, if a bone spur is located in a critical part of the body, there is a risk of uncomfortable symptoms. These areas include the knee, where tendons or bones are often affected by an osteophyte, and the shoulder. If the bone spur causes pressure to be exerted on the tendons of the rotator cuff, which are responsible for controlling shoulder movement, signs of wear and swelling of the muscle-tendon cap will appear. In the spine, an osteophyte may be manifested by pain when it presses on the spinal nerves. Similarly, numbness or loss of sensation in the supplied areas of the body are possible. On the fingers, a bone spur can be recognized as a hard thickening on the skin, causing pain from time to time. If an osteophyte is present in the neck, there is a risk of difficulty swallowing or breathing. Also conceivable is a reduced blood supply to the brain if the bone spur exerts pressure on important blood vessels. Furthermore, tingling and feelings of weakness in the arms are often apparent.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
The diagnosis of osteophytes is not always easy. For example, the pain caused by the bone spur is often nonspecific and occurs in its immediate area. Therefore, the diagnosis usually comes about only by chance. In some cases, palpation during physical examination reveals pain and discomfort from the osteophyte. However, it is often not possible to detect deeper bone spurs from the outside.For this reason, an X-ray examination is usually performed, which helps to determine the position and extent of the bone spur. However, if the bone formation is very small, X-rays may not always be sufficient. If muscles or nerves are involved, a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is often performed. In most cases, the course of osteophytes is positive if appropriate treatment is given. However, some patients suffer significant impairment when the bone spur presses against adjacent nerves.
Complications
Because of the osteophyte, patients suffer from various bone complaints and further from joint complaints. In most cases, the symptoms appear very suddenly, so that the disease does not show any particular symptoms at first. For this reason, early treatment is usually not possible. Pain and movement restrictions can occur, especially in the knees, which have a very negative effect on the patient’s everyday life. Furthermore, the shoulder may also hurt. If the osteophyte is not treated, there is usually discomfort in the spine and further also numbness and other disorders of sensitivity. Swallowing difficulties and breathing problems also occur, so that the ingestion of food and liquids is no longer readily possible for the patient. The patient’s ability to bear weight also decreases considerably due to the osteophyte, resulting in significant restrictions in everyday life. The treatment of this disease is usually carried out with the help of medication. Various therapies and a healthy lifestyle can also have a positive effect on the disease.
When should you go to the doctor?
Osteophytes can develop over years without any unusual symptoms appearing at first. If the typical swelling and ossification around the joints are noticed, a doctor must be consulted. Nerve pain or symptoms of lapses also indicate an osteophyte or other disease that needs to be clarified. Vocal cord paralysis and postural deformities are a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor, as they indicate an advanced disease. Pain therapy is unproblematic and does not need to be monitored by a doctor. In contrast, regular monitoring is necessary after surgery to ensure a smooth healing process. Patients should consult a physiotherapist after surgery to alleviate any musculoskeletal disorders. The degenerative bone changes themselves are surgically removed or treated by an orthopedic surgeon. Routine examinations during treatment and follow-up care can usually be provided by the primary care physician. However, an orthopedic surgeon must always be involved in the treatment because osteophytes and osteochondromas primarily affect bone and should be treated by an appropriate specialist.
Treatment and therapy
If an osteophyte does not cause any symptoms, no special treatment is usually needed. Ultimately, therapy depends on how severe the symptoms are. To combat pain, the patient usually receives nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Their use can reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area. Another proven form of treatment is physical therapy. In this way, the muscles around the bone spurs are strengthened by special exercises and regain more freedom of movement. In cases of severe joint impairment, the doctor may also administer cortisone to counteract the pain. If the patient suffers from osteophytes on the leg, the use of orthoses is considered useful for pain relief. Surgery, on the other hand, is rarely performed if conservative therapy is not crowned with success.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for osteophyte is unfavorable. There is a chronic disease as the cause in the affected person, which has a progressive course. For this reason, recovery is not a given with the current medical and scientific status. Rather, a steady increase in symptoms over the life span is to be expected. Medical care focuses on delaying the progression of the disease.Drug therapy approaches are intended to prevent the health irregularities from leading to severe impairments in quality of life or daily activities within a short period of time. Rather, the aim is to gain time so that the patient can fulfill his or her daily obligations as independently as possible for as long as possible. Occupational as well as sporting commitments often experience a restriction, as physical performance can no longer be achieved as usual. Due to the underlying disease present, the risk of developing secondary disorders is increased. Emotional stress increases, so that psychological disorders are frequently observed. Without treatment, the various symptoms lead to an immense loss of general quality of life. In addition to irregularities in movement patterns, pain and a loss of one’s own strength, inflammation can occur. In many cases, a rapid increase in the symptoms can also be expected. As a result, the affected person can no longer cope with everyday life without help.
Prevention
To prevent osteophytes, it is necessary to counteract the triggering causes such as inflammation. Regular exercise is also considered helpful.
Aftercare
As a rule, the measures of aftercare for an osteophyte are relatively limited or, in some cases, are not even available to those affected. For this reason, a physician should be consulted in this case at the first symptoms and signs, so that further complications can be prevented. Self-healing is not possible, so ideally a doctor should be consulted at the first signs and symptoms of the disease. Most sufferers are dependent on taking various medications that can alleviate the symptoms. The affected person should always pay attention to a correct dosage and furthermore also to the regular intake of the medicines, so that it does not come to other compilations or complaints. Most sufferers are also dependent on the help and support of their own family and friends during treatment. This can also prevent or alleviate depression and other psychological complaints. In some circumstances, the disease can also lead to a reduced life expectancy for the affected person.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Osteophytes normally require medical treatment. After surgery, the patient must first take it easy. In particular, the affected bone must not be subjected to any further stress. For this reason, the physician will prescribe physiotherapy, which is best supported by the patient with moderate sports, but also with massages, exercises from yoga and Pilates, and relaxation exercises. To prevent a recurrence of osteophyte, possible causes must be determined and corrected. Often there is another underlying condition, for example arthritic disease or sclerosis, which must be treated first. If no cause can be determined, general measures are indicated. The patient should exercise the joints regularly, but without overloading them. A healthy diet and avoidance of stress serve as additional self-help measures for an osteophyte. If the osteophytes occur in conjunction with taking medication, it is necessary to change to another preparation. The sufferer should consult closely with the physician during the initial period after switching medications so that appropriate adjustments can be made in case of side effects or drug interactions.