What Is A Bone Spur? Why You Might Have One And What To Do About It
Hey Oilers fans. Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time talking about high-ankle sprains, lower-body injuries, and the general wear-and-tear our favorite players endure during a grueling Stanley Cup Playoffs run. But there’s another common, often misunderstood issue that can sideline anyone, from a superstar to a weekend warrior: the bone spur.
You might have heard the term, especially when a player is dealing with a nagging, persistent issue. It sounds serious, but what exactly is it? More importantly, if you’re dealing with one yourself—maybe from years of playing hockey, running, or just the natural process of aging—what can you actually do about it?
Consider this your practical playbook. We’re going to break down what a bone spur is, why your body might decide to grow one, and walk you through a clear, step-by-step game plan for managing it. Think of this like Coach Kris Knoblauch drawing up a strategy for the Power Play; we need a solid plan to tackle this opponent.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a actionable checklist to help you navigate diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery, so you can get back to your life (or fantasizing about Connor McDavid lifting the Stanley Cup) with less pain.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Tackling a bone spur isn't something you do on a whim. Just like the Edmonton Oilers don't head into the postseason without scouting reports and a health check on Stuart Skinner, you need to be prepared. Here’s what you should have in your lineup before you begin this process:
Patience: This isn't a quick fix. Management and recovery take time.
A Healthcare Team: Your starting lineup should include your primary care doctor, who will likely refer you to a specialist like an orthopedist or a podiatrist.
Diagnostic Imaging: You’ll likely need an X-ray to confirm the spur. Sometimes an MRI or CT scan is needed to see how it's affecting surrounding tissues—similar to how the coaching staff needs all the data to assess a player's injury.
Honesty About Your Pain: Keep a mental (or physical) log of when the pain occurs, what it feels like, and what makes it better or worse. This intel is crucial for your doctor.
Realistic Expectations: Understanding that treatment is often a process of conservative steps first, not immediate surgery.
Your Step-by-Step Game Plan for Managing a Bone Spur
Step 1: Recognize the Symptoms and Suspect the "Opponent"
First, you need to know what you're dealing with. A bone spur (or osteophyte) is essentially a smooth, bony growth that forms on the edges of bones. It’s your body’s attempt to repair itself by adding extra bone, often in response to prolonged stress, pressure, or inflammation—like joints rubbing together.
Common places include the heel (often causing plantar fasciitis), spine, shoulders, knees, and hands. So, what are the signs you might be facing this particular opponent?
Persistent, Localized Pain: A dull ache or sharp pain in a specific joint, especially when you put weight on it or move it.
Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion: That joint just doesn’t move as freely as it used to. Think of it as a player who can’t quite get their full stride back.
Numbness or Tingling: If the spur is in the spine and presses on a nerve, you might feel this in your arms or legs.
Visible Lump: In places like fingers or feet, you might sometimes see or feel a hard bump under the skin.
Why You Might Have One: Common causes include osteoarthritis (the classic "wear-and-tear" arthritis), repetitive stress from sports or jobs, poor posture, and simply aging. It’s the body’s long-term response to instability.
Step 2: Get the Official "Video Review" – Diagnosis
You can’t call a penalty without a referee, and you can’t confirm a bone spur without a doctor. Don’t try to self-diagnose based on internet searches. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
They will:
- Take a History: They’ll ask about your pain, activities, and medical history.
- Perform a Physical Exam: They’ll press on the area, check for tenderness, and test your joint’s movement.
- Order Imaging: This is the definitive review. An X-ray is the standard first play to clearly show the bony growth. If they need to see damage to ligaments, tendons, or nerves (like if the spur is pinching something), they may call for an MRI, the league’s top-tier diagnostic tool.
This step is crucial. It rules out other issues and gives you a clear picture of the playing field.
Step 3: Implement the "Conservative Game Plan" – Non-Surgical Treatments
Unless the spur is causing severe nerve compression or damage, surgery is almost never the first option. The initial strategy is all about conservative management—the equivalent of tightening up your defensive systems and relying on your goaltender.
Rest and Activity Modification: Identify and avoid activities that flare up the pain. Give the area a chance to calm down.
Ice and Heat: Use ice packs (15-20 minutes at a time) to reduce inflammation after activity. Heat can help with stiffness before activity.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce inflammation and pain. Always use as directed.
Physical Therapy: A PT is like your skills coach. They can teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and correct movement patterns to take stress off the area.
Supportive Gear: This is your equipment manager stepping in. Orthotic shoe inserts for heel spurs, a brace for a knee or wrist, or a supportive collar for the neck can make a massive difference.
Steroid Injections: For significant inflammation, a corticosteroid injection directly into the area can provide powerful, temporary relief. It’s a strategic timeout to stop the pain cycle.
Step 4: Consider the "Power Play" Option – Surgical Intervention
Surgery is the final play, reserved for when the conservative game plan hasn’t worked over several months, and the pain is severely impacting your quality of life. The type of surgery depends entirely on the spur’s location and purpose.
The Procedure: It’s typically a straightforward removal of the bony growth. Sometimes, if arthritis is severe, a surgeon may perform a joint fusion or replacement.
The Recovery: This is the rehab stint. It involves rest, followed by guided physical therapy to regain strength and motion. Recovery time varies by location and the individual—think weeks to months, not days.
Step 5: Execute the "Long-Term Season Strategy" – Prevention and Maintenance
Even after successful treatment, the key is to prevent a recurrence. This is the offseason training regimen.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Less weight means less stress on weight-bearing joints like hips, knees, and feet.
Wear Proper Footwear: Supportive shoes are non-negotiable, both for daily life and any athletic activity.
Practice Good Posture and Ergonomics: Whether at your desk or on the ice, proper form matters.
Keep Moving with Low-Impact Exercise: Swimming, cycling, and elliptical training keep joints healthy without excessive pounding.
Listen to Your Body: Pain is a signal. Don’t “play through it” like a tough NHL grinder when you’re just practicing your shot in the driveway.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pro Tip: Don’t Fear the Word "Spur." It sounds scarier than it often is. Many people have bone spurs with zero symptoms. They only become a problem if they irritate surrounding tissues.
Pro Tip: Consistency is Key in PT. Doing your physical therapy exercises sporadically is like the Oilers only showing up for the third period. The daily, consistent work is what builds lasting results.
Common Mistake: Rushing to Surgery. Exhaust all conservative options first. Surgery has inherent risks and requires recovery time. It’s a major play, not a first-line strategy.
Common Mistake: Ignoring the Root Cause. Just removing the spur without addressing why it formed (poor biomechanics, muscle weakness, etc.) is a recipe for it coming back. It’s like fixing a leaky roof without addressing the cracked foundation.
Pro Tip: Connect the Dots to Your Activities. Were you training for a marathon? Starting a new job on your feet? Understanding the "why" helps you and your doctor build a better prevention plan.
Your Bone Spur Management Checklist: A Quick Summary
Think of this as your pre-game checklist before facing down this challenge. Run through these steps:
☐ Identify Potential Symptoms: Note persistent joint pain, stiffness, numbness, or visible lumps.
☐ Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment: Don’t self-diagnose. Get a professional assessment.
☐ Undergo Diagnostic Imaging: Get an X-ray (or other scan) to confirm the presence and location of the spur.
☐ Commit to Conservative Treatment First: Start with rest, ice, OTC meds, supportive gear, and physical therapy.
☐ Explore Injection Therapy if Needed: Consider corticosteroid injections for strong, targeted anti-inflammatory relief.
☐ Evaluate Surgery as a Last Resort: Only consider surgical removal if conservative methods fail after a sustained effort.
☐ Focus on Long-Term Prevention: Maintain a healthy weight, wear supportive shoes, practice good posture, and stay active with joint-friendly exercise.
Dealing with a bone spur can feel like a frustrating, lingering injury. But with the right game plan—starting with a solid diagnosis and a patient, step-by-step approach—you can manage the pain and get back to the activities you love. Now, if only fixing the Western Conference standings was as straightforward! For more on how the pros battle through adversity, check out our deep dive into the resilience shown throughout Oilers playoff runs history.
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