Our shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in our body, and if something affects its ability to move smoothly, minor actions can cause major discomfort. One of the more common conditions that can lead to shoulder discomfort during movement is the presence of bone spurs, which are tiny bone fragments and formations that can irritate nearby soft tissues. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why bone spurs can develop in the shoulder and how Dr. Holloway can help you treat them.
Causes And Symptoms Of Bone Spurs In The Shoulder
A bone spur, also oftentimes referred to as an osteophyte, involves the formation of excessive bone growth around the joint area. They typically develop as the body works to repair worn or damaged bones. When this bone doesn’t grow back exactly as expected, a spur can form. Since bone spurs tend to develop as the body is working to replace damaged or lost bone, their formation is common in patients dealing with different forms of arthritis.
Bone spur formation in the shoulder joint is more common in patients dealing with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, and not surprisingly, it tends to be more common in older adults. Other factors that can increase a person’s risk of bone spur formation include repetitive high stress shoulder motions (golfers, tennis players, etc.), being nutrient deficient, being sedentary and overweight or having a family history of arthritis.
It’s important to realize that not all bone spurs are symptomatic, and it’s likely that millions of Americans have developed bone spurs somewhere in their body that are not causing symptoms. However, if degeneration continues or the formation grows, it can lead to symptoms, which commonly include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Numbness
- Stiffness
- Decreased natural range of motion
If you are dealing with any of these symptoms and they are affecting your ability to perform normal daily activities, you should set up a consultation with your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway.
Diagnosing And Treating Bone Spurs In The Shoulder
If you present to your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist with the above symptoms, they’ll begin by conducting a physical exam and reviewing your medical history. While they may suspect that bone spurs are the underlying issue, they will likely want to rule out other possibilities with the help of imaging tests. An X-ray is the standard imaging test for viewing the size and location of bone spurs, but other imaging tests may be ordered to get a better view of the shoulder complex
If you are diagnosed with bone spurs in your shoulder, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of non-operative techniques to alleviate discomfort and help restore more normal movement to the shoulder. Those treatments oftentimes include short-term rest/activity avoidance, physical therapy, exercise, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medications, dietary improvements and hot/cold therapy. Most patients notice an improvement or complete alleviation of symptoms when non-operative techniques are pursued for 4-8 weeks or longer.
If these non-operative treatments fail to provide relief, a minimally invasive procedure may be recommended. In this procedure, the surgeon will create a very small opening in the shoulder region in order to access the bone spurs. The excess bone formations are removed and smoothed to facilitate normal range of motion in the area. After the operation is complete, the patient will follow a rehab protocol that involves many of the previously mentioned non-operative treatments. You can expect to undergo a healthy dose of physical therapy as you recover, and you may be told to avoid certain movements and pursue different strengthening exercises as you progress through your recovery.
Bone spurs tend to respond well to treatment, so don’t live life in pain if you are bothered by dull pain in the shoulder region. Instead, connect with a specialist like Dr. Holloway and get back on the path to normal and pain free shoulder movement. For more information, or for help with a different shoulder issue, give Dr. Holloway’s office a call today at (865) 410-7887.
