Spinal Bone Spurs Treatments

Treatment for spinal bone spurs is usually accomplished through a conservative nature without a need for surgical intervention. Conservative bone spur treatments are often able to mitigate most mild to moderate nerve compression and is the typical first course of treatment.

Treatment usually starts with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as medication to control the pain. Physical therapy, rest, and activity modification should be all that is required to remedy the condition, although occasionally more aggressive treatment may be needed.

At Atlantic Spine Center, we may also recommend epidural steroid injections as an initial bone spur treatment depending on the advancement of your condition. Epidural injections can help you feel more comfortable so that you are more likely to successfully progress during physical therapy.

When to Consider Surgery to Remove Spinal Bone Spurs

If 6 – 8 weeks of conservative treatment fail to relieve your pain, spinal bone spur removal may be the next proper course of treatment. If however, you have loss of coordination in your arms or legs, you may need to undergo bone spur surgery sooner. This decision should be an educated one, made with the help of a doctor. For most people, conservative treatment will provide enough relief from their symptoms and will not require surgical intervention.

Endoscopic Foraminotomy

Bone spur removal with an endoscopic foraminotomy procedure is highly effective and has a high rate of success. Although there is a chance of the bone spur developing again, your doctor should be able to educate you on preventative measures that will significantly lower this risk.

An endoscopic foraminotomy is performed with intravenous sedation and under a local anesthetic. The surgeon will make a small incision in the back of the patient to insert a special small tube. Through this tube the surgeon is then able to gain access to the bone spur and clean away any it and any other debris.

An endoscopic foraminotomy is a same day procedure that doesn’t require general anesthesia. There is no need for an overnight hospital stay and many patients note that they feel relief of their leg or arm symptoms while the procedure is being done.

Full recovery after bone spur removal can be expected anywhere from roughly ten days to a few weeks.