Dear Dr. Hibberd: My body overproduces bone in the form of bone spurs. This has resulted in back and Achilles tendon surgeries, and most recently double hip replacement. Do you know of any treatment that will reverse this condition?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
Bone spurs, or bony projections, are age related and tend to form in your joints and where ligaments and tendons connect with bone. Bone spurs cause pain when they rub against nerves and bones. There are no preventive measures known to reduce or relieve bone spur formation.
All risks of surgery must be weighed against the anticipated benefits. For example, simple modifications in footwear may reduce the worsening of spurs in your feet. When spurs are present in spinal areas, they may occasionally cause nerve root compression symptoms. Last resort options may include local resection or laser treatment, but most cases are treated conservatively.
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