Bone Spurs In Knee Surgery

Surgery For Bone Spurs

Conservative treatment is usually enough to manage bone spurs in most people. This includes pain medications and steroid shots for temporary pain relief. Physical therapy exercises help to restore joint flexibility and strength. This reduces pressure on the nerves and relieves the symptoms of bone spurs.

However, if bone spurs are causing serious pain, limitation of motion, or pressure upon nerves, they may need to be removed surgically. The surgery can be performed in a minimally invasive manner . During this type of procedure, the surgeon removes pieces of bone through a small incision. Open surgery may be required if the surgeon wishes to remove the entire bone spur.4

Unfortunately Bone Spurs Arent Preventable

There are no ways to prevent the development of bone spurs. However, you can take self-care steps at home to keep your bones and joints healthy and decrease your risk of injuries.

• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise is the best thing you can do to maintain strong, healthy joints, muscles and bones. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, bicycling or yoga can help you stay active while reducing stress and pressure on your joints and soft tissues.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body weight places more stress and pressure on weight bearing joints. Talk to your doctor about ways you can maintain a healthy, stable weight.

• Wear supportive footwear. Reduce the risk of heel spurs by wearing shoes that fit correctly and provide good heel and arch support. Additionally, supportive shoes will reduce pressure on your knees, hips and back.

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What Are Symptoms Of Bone Spurs

Some people have bone spurs and dont even know it. Spurs start to create symptoms when they:

• Put pressure on nearby nerves.
• Restrict movement.
• Rub against other bones or tissues.

When that happens, you may feel some:

• Knobby or bumpy areas, especially in the fingers or toes.
• Numbness and weakness, especially in the legs if the spine has spurs.
• Pain near the affected joint, like heel pain.
• Reduced range of motion .

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How Is Bone Spur Of Knee Diagnosed

Bone Spurs of Knee may be diagnosed by the following observations and tests:

• A complete physical examination with thorough evaluation of medical history
• X-ray of the knee: X-rays are noninvasive medical tests that use radiation to produce images of the bone
• Computerized tomography scan of the knee: A CT scan takes a series of X-ray images from several different angles. These images are then merged to create cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues with the body
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the knee: An MRI is a more detailed scan that uses radio waves and a magnetic field that generates thorough images of interior bones and soft tissues
• Electromyography : An EMG shows the electrical activity of the muscle during rest and muscle contraction. This test may be performed if the signs and symptoms indicate that there is muscle or nerve damage
• Nerve conduction velocity studies: Nerve conduction velocity shows the speed at which electrical signals move through the affected nerve. Slow nerve signal speed may indicate nerve damage

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

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Bone Spur Removal Surgery

You should be able to return home within 24-48 hours. After returning home, you may feel fatigued for a few days. Getting plenty of rest will help to speed up your recovery. You should limit your daily activities and reintroduce them gradually on the advice of our doctor. The amount of time you will need off work will depend on the region of your spine that the bone spur was removed from and the physical demands of your job. For example, you will be able to return to a desk job sooner than to a job which requires lifting heavy objects.

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What Are The Causes Risk Factors And Symptoms Of A Bone Spur In The Knee

There is no one answer to the question of what causes bone spurs in the knee. Each case of bone spur can be different but the list we provide here covers the most common causes. These causes are associated with a disease/condition that leads to cartilage degeneration or is a reaction to a bone injury.

Knee osteoarthritis: This is a form of arthritis that is caused by constant wear and tear of the knee joints. With excessive pressure, friction between the knee joints, as well as stretching of the joints, the cartilage in the bones can wear out. When the body attempts to repair itself, it can create bone spurs between the joints.

Knee injuries: A trauma or injury to the knee and specifically the cartilage tissue can cause bone spurs. There are crescent-shaped shock absorbers between the femur and the tibia that when damaged or torn, can cause bone spurs. This is what is often referred to as a meniscus injury.

Age: Data shows that knee pain bone spurs can be a result of natural wear and tear associated with aging. In other words, the older we get, the more likely we are to experience a bone spur.

Other causes: Some people get a bone spur in the knee due to lack of physical activity, nutritional deficiencies, structural abnormalities during birth, or a build-up of calcium deposits in the body. Obesity has also been linked to bone spurs.

• Severe pain in the knee
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the knee joint
• Pain when bending or extending the knee

Natural Bone Spur Treatments

When most people hear the word spur, its hard to imagine anything other than a dusty John Wayne sauntering into town, white hat on and heels clicking. The everyday reality, however, is far more mundane and has much more to do with bones than chaps.

Bone spurs are a relatively common condition that, more often than not, require no medical intervention. Bone spurs normally occur as a consequence of aging. However, there are lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and certain situational injuries, that cause bone spurs to occur earlier in life and sometimes in a painful way. By understanding what bone spurs are, you can make healthy lifestyle choices that not only prevent them but will keep you sauntering as well as any chap-clad cowboy.

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Can Bone Spurs Be Prevented

The most common cause of bone spurs is osteoarthritis. This is natural wear and tear that occurs with age and cannot be prevented. However, you can do certain things to prevent bone spur formation, such as:2,3

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy bones.
• Keep your bones strong by doing regular weight-bearing exercises.
• Reduce stress on your joints by strengthening the surrounding muscles.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Excess weight puts pressure on your joints, causing the cartilage to break down faster, leading to the formation of bone spurs.
• Wear well-fitted and well-cushioned shoes with good arch support. Your shoes should not rub against your feet when you walk or run. The toe box should be wide enough to be comfortable.

When To Seek Medical Advice

See a GP if you have joint pain or stiffness, or if you have other symptoms in an area of your body, such as numbness or nerve pain. They’ll investigate the underlying cause.

A GP will ask you about your symptoms and may examine the affected area. They may test your joint movements and muscle strength. They’ll also look at your medical history.

You may be referred for an X-ray, which will highlight any arthritis in the joint and osteophytes. An MRI scan is better for examining torn ligaments or tendons.

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What Are The Risk Factors For Bone Spur Of Knee

The common risk factors for Bone Spurs of the Knee include:

• Degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis
• Heredity predisposition a family history of bone spurs

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

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Surgical Treatments For Bone Spurs

If non-surgical options werent successful in relieving pain, there are several surgical options to treat bone spurs. At the Miami Neuroscience Center, we perform minimally invasive procedures that require smaller incisions which reduce complications and recovery time. The surgical procedures to follow can be performed on their own or in combination with other surgeries depending on the recommendations from our neurosurgeons. Some surgical options include:

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Bone Spurs Are Painful Or Not

One misconception associated with bone spurs is that they always cause pain. In fact, many times a bone spur will go undiscovered until seen on an X-ray for a different issue. Even if a bump is visible, the spur is often asymptomatic.

In some instances, bone spurs can cause pain. If theres a bone spur at the top of the foot, the pressure from shoes especially if the top of the shoe is not flexible or soft can be painful. Bone spurs at the back of the heel can also be painful.

What Causes Bone Spurs And Plantar Fasciitis

Bone spurs are often associated with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes cartilage to break down. It is the most common type of arthritis affecting over 27 million Americans. As osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in joints, your body attempts to repair the loss, or at least shield the bones from the effects of lost cartilage. It does this by creating a build-up of bone along the edges of your existing bones. This generally comes as a response to continued pressure, rubbing, or stress over a long period of time.

Bone spurs can also be caused by other diseases and conditions like:

Many older individuals without any diseases may still have bone spurs without being aware of them, as the body creates spurs to add stability to aging joints.

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What Preparations Are Needed Prior To The Procedure

• The physician may evaluate the individualâs medical history to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the overall health status of the patient including information related to the medications that are being currently taken
• Some medications increase a personâs chances of bleeding and it may be recommended to discontinue them for a period of time, before the procedure is performed
• Blood tests may be performed to determine if there is a bleeding tendency or any other medical conditions that prevents the person from undergoing the procedure
• Normally local anesthesia is not used in Bone Spur Removal procedure however, do inform the physician if you are allergic to any local anesthetics, lidocaine, etc.
• Avoid application of any cosmetics, deodorant, or topical medicines on the area, prior to the procedure
• It is advisable to quit smoking and the use of any nicotine based products for a while, before the surgery
• Consumption of alcoholic drinks must also be avoided for a period of time, as instructed
• The patient must avoid eating or drinking at least 8 hours prior to the surgical procedure, depending on when the procedure is arranged
• For individuals suffering from diabetes, it is important that the blood sugar stays within the normal range if not, their diabetologist may have to control blood sugar by recommending insulin and/or a combination of oral medicines

What Causes Osteophytes

Osteophytes tend to form when the joints have been affected by arthritis.

Osteoarthritis damages cartilage, the tough, white, flexible tissue that lines the bones and allows the joints to move easily.

Osteoarthritis is most common in the knees, hips, spine and small joints of the hands and base of the big toe.

As the joints become increasingly damaged, new bone may form around the joints. These bony growths are called osteophytes.

Osteophytes can also form in the spine as a result of ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that specifically affects the spine.

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What Is A Bone Spur

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis youve likely heard of osteophytes or as they are more commonly known, bone spurs and sometimes referred to as spurring bone. So, what is a bone spur? Bone spurs are abnormal bony lumps that appear on the surface of joints that have suffered some degree of cartilage loss. Through wear and tear, cartilage, the cushioning within the knee joint, slowly degrades resulting in the formation of bone spurs as your body adapts to maintain the stability of the knee joint.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bone Spur Of Knee

In many individuals, bones spurs are not painful by themselves and cause no significant signs or symptoms. However, in some, certain symptoms may develop depending on the severity of the condition.

The signs and symptoms of Bone Spurs of Knee include:

• Severe uncontrollable pain in the knee
• Numbness, feeling of weakness, tingling sensation in the knee joint may be observed, if the surrounding nerves are pinched

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What Are The Possible Risks And Complications During The Bone Spur Removal Surgical Procedure

There are general factors that increase the risk of getting complications during the surgical procedure and they include:

• Obesity: Generally, the greater the degree of obesity, the greater the surgical risk
• Smoking: The longer the smoking history , the greater the surgical risk
• Poorly controlled diabetes, as evidenced by a high hemoglobin A1c and a high fasting glucose
• Poorly functioning kidney, as evidenced by increased BUN and blood creatinine
• Poorly functioning liver, as evidenced by increased blood liver function tests
• Hypertension , especially if it is poorly controlled
• Poor nutritional status
• Poor lung function, as evidenced by abnormal lung function tests
• History of bleeding disorders
• Longstanding illness, such as autoimmune disorders and chronic infections
• Poor immune system due to a variety of causes

The possible risks or complications that may arise during the Bone Spur Removal surgical procedure include:

• Injury to the neighboring structures
• Anesthetic complications
• Need for further procedures

What Is The Prognosis Of Bone Spur Of Knee

• In a majority of cases, the prognosis of Bone Spurs of Knee is usually good and symptoms are resolved with suitable conservative treatment
• However, there is still a risk that the bone spur will continue to grow. in these cases, a healthcare provider will recommend surgery to treat the condition
• Occasionally, recurrent bone spurs may be observed and the relief obtained from surgery may only be temporary

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What Are The Causes Of Bone Spur Of Knee

• Bone Spurs of the Knee are usually caused by a disease or condition that results from a degeneration of the cartilage
• Excess bone formation occurs as a result of the bodys response to abnormal pressure on the affected area of the bone

In other words, bone spurs are caused as part of a reactive process to a bone injury.

Best Alkaline Foods/worst Acidic Foods

So followingan alkaline diet is extremely important if you want to be free of bone spurs.Certain foods are acidic producing while others are alkaline boosting. Youdefinitely want to avoid the acidic producing foods, and instead, startconsuming more of the alkaline boosting foods.

Refined foods, processed foods,junk food, alcohol and processed dairy are all highly acidic. Raw foods,particularly fresh fruits and vegetables are highly alkaline. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kvass,kimchi, yogurt, kefir and kombucha are also alkaline producing and containessential good gut bacteria. Lemon or lime water is alkaline boosting as wellso adding a couple of slices of these fruits to your drinking water can provideadditional alkalinity.

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Symptoms To Watch Out For

Although you wont necessarily experience any symptoms with a bone spur in the knee, there are some to keep a lookout for. The main symptoms include:

• Bony areas around the joint
• Weakness or numbness
• Pain near the knee
• Stiffness and reduce range of motion

If you experience any of the symptoms above, it is a good idea to seek advice from a specialist. They will be able to diagnose the problem and determine whether it is bone spurs.

As bone spurs are typically asymptomatic, patients will usually only discover they have them when they undergo an X-Ray.

How Are Bone Spurs Treated

Several approaches can be taken to treatment depending on the severity of the symptoms.

A conservative approach for persons with mild or moderate pressure on the nerves or spinal cord might include:

• Steroid shots to help reduce joint swelling and pain. The effects of these are temporary and may need to be repeated up to 3 total in a year.
• NSAIDS to reduce swelling, relieve pain and relax muscles for four to six weeks.
• Physical therapy and manipulation of joints to restore flexibility and strength, improve posture and reducing the pressure on the nerves.

If this approach isnât successful, surgery may be needed, such as a laminectomy to remove bone spurs.

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