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The Curious Bag
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Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are projections along the surface of any bone. By themselves, bone spurs on the shoulder are not harmful or painful. However, they can create problems on adjacent tissues, joints and ligaments. Tendons attached to the rotator cuff can tear from bone spurs.
Significance
The formation of bone spurs can be indicative of a disease or illness. Causes of bone spurs include osteoarthritis, injury or the normal aging process.
Features
Shoulders, in particular, are prone to bone spurs because of their anatomical features. The shoulder joint is a complex structure of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones.
Effects
Athletes and workers who engage in repetitive tasks that stress the shoulders can develop bone spurs. The movement of the bones against the rotator cuff's tendons creates a bone spur.
Effects
Shoulder bone spurs can cause pain, irritation, inflammation and tearing of the rotator tendon. Doctors diagnose spurs by physical examination, X-rays, computerized tomography scans (CTs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs).
Solution
If shoulder bone spurs cause no medical problems, they can be left untreated. However, spurs resulting in damage to the shoulder, pain and inflammation might require surgery, physical therapy or both.
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