What Arthritis Causes Bone Spurs?

What arthritis causes bone spurs? Let’s find out. Arthritis is a disorder of the joints. Its main symptoms are pain and stiffness in joints, along with inflammation. Arthritis is primarily observed in older adults, but young ones can also be affected. 

People suffering from one of the main types of arthritis, i.e., osteoarthritis, are more likely to get bone spurs. It is the most frequently occurring and common kind of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide.

We have a related article for you, you can read Best Bikes for Seniors with Arthritis and Balance Problems in 2022.

Although arthritis affects both men and women, but women are more vulnerable to getting the disease. Plus, the symptoms are more adverse in females. 

Almost 100 different types of arthritis exist. Among them, a few most common types include Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, Lupus, Psoriatic arthritis, etc. 

It is a genetic disease and moves from one generation to the next. Moreover, it cannot be cured after its onset; proper medication and preventive measures can save the condition from becoming worse.

What Are Bone Spurs? What Arthritis Cause Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are the small bony outgrowths formed along the edges of the bones around joints. Their formation is usually associated with inflammation that causes the deposition of bone cells in areas other than bone. They may or may not develop symptoms. 

If no symptoms are present, they are often non-problematic and remain undetected. And, if the symptoms appear, they depend upon their location. 

Bone spurs are primarily found in the spine, knees, shoulder, hip, hand, and foot (especially at the heel or ankle).

Osteoarthritis- The Type Of Arthritis That Can Cause Bone Spurs:

Other than joint pain, inflammation and rigidity, arthritis is also responsible for causing bone spurs. People suffering from one of the main types of arthritis, i.e., osteoarthritis, are more likely to get bone spurs. It is the most frequently occurring and common kind of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. 

As already explained, bone spurs are tiny protrusions of bones developed along the joints. Osteoarthritis results due to the degeneration of cartilage, a soft connective tissue that reduces friction between the bones. 

When the cartilage degenerates, the bones touch each other and cause pain. In response to this breakdown, the body began to form bone spurs to manage the loss.

What Are The Causes Of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disorder of joints that results from the breakdown of cartilage (flexible connective tissue) between the bones. There are many causes of this breakdown. One of the most critical factors in this tearing away of cartilage is age. 

Because the flexibility of connective tissue reduces with the passing years and results in the degeneration of cartilage, over-activity of a joint can also contribute to the onset of disease. 

Along with these, any joint injury also leads to osteoarthritis development. Being obese also increases the chances of getting the disease because more fats mean more pressure on the joints, affecting the cartilage. These are the few most critical causes of osteoarthritis.

What Are The Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis?

Joint pain and rigidity are the primary and earliest symptoms of osteoarthritis. Whenever a joint is moved or bent, it causes severe pain, and the condition becomes even worse with age. 

The symptoms can be continuous or discontinuous. Weather and the amount of joint activity can change the severity. Another symptom of the disease is the crumbling sound heard while moving, especially while bending the joint. 

Weakness in the surrounding muscles and numbness are also a few crucial signs. The movement of joints is also limited according to the severity of the condition.

What Are The Causes Of Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)?

As mentioned earlier, the principal causative agent of bone spurs in osteoarthritis. They are formed when the flexible connective tissue, i.e., cartilage, between the bones is damaged. 

Another primary purpose of bone spurs is any injury of joint or bone. The body tries to fix the injured part, which results in bone spurs development.

Activities like dancing, twisting, sudden jumping, etc., can also contribute to their formation. An unhealthy diet and malnutrition are also important factors leading to bone spurs.

Furthermore, obesity can also result in osteophyte development because more weight means more pressure on the bones and joints, especially the bones of the feet. This excessive pressure results in fast degeneration of cartilage. 

In addition to these, genes also play an essential role in disease occurrence. Moreover, people with congenital bone problems are at more risk of getting bone spurs than others.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bone Spurs?

Interestingly, bone spurs do not necessarily show the symptoms. Often they are not detected, and the person having them doesn’t even know about their existence. They are only confirmed by radioscopic techniques using X-rays, CT scans, etc. 

The symptoms that appeared due to their presence can be followed.

The symptoms of bone spurs vary significantly according to the location. But, wherever they are present, they are strongly associated with pain and rigidity of the joint. 

If the bone spurs start to exert pressure on the nearby nerves and tissues, they cause pain in the affected area, and if the condition becomes more severe, surrounding muscles are weakened, and coordination may be lost. They can also cause bumpy areas, especially hands, feet, and fingers. 

Also, make sure to check out my post on What Is Jaw Arthritis?

If the bone spurs are present near the spinal cord, they may press the nearby nerves, leading to numbness in the legs. Furthermore, they can cause a reduction in the movement of joints.

Cause Effect Relation Of Osteoarthritis And Bone Spurs:

Osteoarthritis and bone spurs have a direct cause-effect relationship. A person with arthritis is at significant risk of suffering from bone spurs.

These diseases are not curable after their onset, but a healthy diet and routine and proper medication can get good results.