Bone Spurs

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Most people think of something sharp when they think of a spur, but a bone spur (osteophyte) is just extra bone. It’s usually smooth, though it can cause wear and tear or pain if it presses or rubs on other bones or soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons or nerves. A heel spur is a type of bone spur that develops on the heel bone. In addition to the heel, other common places for bone spurs include the spine, shoulders, hands, hips and knees.

A bone spur forms as the body tries to repair itself by building extra bone. It typically forms in response to pressure, rubbing or stress that continues over a long period of time. Some causes of bone spurs include:

• Aging: Some bone spurs form as part of the natural aging process. As we age, the slippery tissue called cartilage that covers the ends of bones within joints breaks down and eventually wears away (osteoarthritis). The discs that provide cushioning between the bones of the spine may also break down with age. Over time, this leads to pain and swelling and, in some cases, bone spurs forming along the edges of the joint. Bone spurs due to aging are especially common in the joints of the spine and feet.
• Dancing or running: Bone spurs also form in the feet in response to tight ligaments or activities that put stress on the feet, such as dancing and running. 
• Excess weight: Pressure from body weight can cause bone spurs. For example, the long ligament on the bottom of the foot (plantar fascia) can become stressed or tight and pull on the heel, causing the ligament to become inflamed (plantar fasciitis). As the bone tries to mend itself, a heel spur can form on the bottom of the heel.
• Wearing tight shoes: Pressure at the back of the heel from frequently wearing shoes that are too tight can cause a bone spur on the back of the heel. This is sometimes called a "pump bump," because it is often seen in women who wear high heels.

Another common site for bone spurs is the shoulder. Your shoulder joint can move in a number of directions due to its complex structure. Over time, the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments that make up your shoulder can wear against one another.

The muscles that allow you to lift and rotate your arm (rotator cuff) start at your shoulder blade and are attached to your upper arm with tendons. As these tendons move through the narrow space between the top of your shoulder and upper arm, they can rub on the bones. Bone spurs can form in this narrow area, pinching the rotator cuff tendons and resulting in irritation, inflammation, stiffness, weakness, pain or occasional tearing of the tendon. 

This condition, called rotator cuff disorder, commonly occurs with age or repetitive use of the shoulder. It is common in athletes, especially baseball players, and those who frequently work with their arms above their heads, such as painters.