What are Osteophytes?
Osteophytes is the medical term for the overgrowth of bone tissue more commonly called ‘bone spurs’. Despite the term ‘spur’, osteophytes are actually small round lumps of extra bone that grow around joints. Osteophytes are the body’s attempt to compensate for existing bone and ligament degeneration due to age or injury. Unfortunately, the body’s attempt to heal itself this way is unsuccessful. Osteophytes are formed by the body for the purpose of limiting or stopping motion in a deteriorating joint that becomes too loose. Since degenerative joint conditions are characteristic of athletes and the aged, osteophytes are common in those with sports related injuries or arthritis. In fact, osteophytes often cause arthritis, as well as a condition called spinal stenosis. Other factors in the development of osteophytes include bone deformations, fractures, hereditary factors and poor posture. Osteophytes are most often found along the spine, but they may be present on any bone in the body. Th
