Posted by 
An osteophyte is also known as a bone spur that grows on the joints of our lower spine because of degenerative changes. Ostephytes have three types of osteophytes: traction spur, inflammatory spur and the original osteophyte or osteochondrophyte. Osteophyte is diagnosed with a bone density test that will measure the strength of your bones and how much calcium and other minerals are in them. Ostephytes of the spine is a normal aging process, but if a person develops bad habits like poor posture, poor nutrition even from a traumatic event the process can speed up. If a person is suspected of having bone spurs, then medical professionals can order a series of images that will show if someone has ostephytes, these include X-rays to show formation and signs of degeneration. If the medical professionals don’t like what they see on the x-ray or think the images do not provide information and they want to see more in-depth a CT and MRI would get ordered one at a time to retrieve a more detailed picture. If a CT is performed contrast can be injected into the spine, for a better image of the nerves and soft tissue. An MRI scan is the preferred option for observing soft tissues such as discs, nerve roots, ligaments, muscles, tendons and cartilage but it is often expensive and insurance sometimes won’t cover it. Ostephytes can be repaired or even corrected with a few different methods. Some of those options are medication, physical therapy, exercise, and spinal manipulation which involves a spinal adjustment from medical professionals using their hands or small instruments to apply pressure over the vertebrae. If a person is a heavier weight or bmi then weight loss is another factor because this can take pressure off the spine, one can even take steroid injections to help with inflammation. If the noninvasive nonsurgical treatments don’t work then depending upon how severe it is the doctors may recommend surgery to help the nerve or spinal cord from being compressed that it causes unremitting pain and loss of function surgery may be the best option by removing tissue to relieve pressure.
Another bone’s disease is degenerative disc disease also known as DDD is the breakdown of one or more of the disks that separate the bones of the spine. These discs are located between the vertebrae to act like a cushion and absorb pressure put on the spine. A DDD diagnosis is based on a medical history and a physical examination, that also includes symptoms and the circumstances where the pain started. Some people are born with DDD, but it is common in older adults because discs are made from about 80 percent water. So by the age 60 one can develop DDD as we age our the disc dries out and doesn’t absorb shocks as well. Disc degeneration can develop in young adults but it is not always the problem, if a young adult develops DDD it is actually called juvenile disc disorder or juvenile discogenic disorder. DDD can begin in the early years of adult life but does not usually become affected once they are older. If one has developed the disc disease it’s usually from an injury that indurded or it could even be a genetic disposition to disc degeneration (Juvenile Disc Disorder Dr. McAfee). Degenerative disc disease can be treated by a few options which include, artificial disc replacement, surgery to fix the disc. And then less invasive treatments would be acupuncture, back braces and pain management.
The stages of bone development is known as Ossification or osteogenesis which means the process of turning cartilage or fibrous tissue into bone. As we grow and develop the Bones will continue to remodel and repair until we die.
In my photo of the lower lumbar spine made out of clay you can see where the discs are healthy looking and then where it’s thinner and the vertebrates are closer together. You can also see the bone spurs on it as well it’s the jagged/rough edges on the vertebrae when it’s supposed to be smooth.
References
Donnally, C., Varacallo., M., & Hanna, A. (2023, August 4). Lumbar degenerative disk disease. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448134/
McAfee, P. (2015). Juvenile disc disorder. Spine. https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/juvenile-disc-disorder
Saadat, E. (2019). Treatment options for bone spurs. Spine health. https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/arthritis/treatment-options-bone-spurs
van der Kraan, P., & van den Berg, W. (2007, January 3). Osteophytes: Relevance and biology. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106345840600327X
The human spine is prone to suffering various degenerative conditions that are congenital, trauma-induced, or due to the natural aging process. For example, osteophytes or bone spurs grow on the joints of the spine as a result of degenerative changes from aging. Osteophytes are diagnosed via a bone density test that measures the strength of bones and how much calcium and other minerals are contained within the bones. Another example is degenerative disc disease (DDD), which is caused by the breakdown of one or more discs that are located between the vertebrae and act as a cushion to absorb pressure. A DDD diagnosis is based on a comprehensive medical history and physical examination as well as imaging studies.
Both of these conditions require medical evaluation and treatment to ascertain the source of a patient’s pain and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Imaging options include X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, which are the best option for imaging the discs, nerves, and soft tissues of the affected region. However, all forms of imaging are often required to show the extent of bone spur formation and degeneration. Once imaging is complete, medical professionals are equipped to recommend a course of treatment, which often begins with conservative measures including adjustments, physical therapy, back braces, pain management, and acupuncture. From there, if the patient’s pain issues have not resolved, more invasive treatments will likely be recommended. These invasive treatments often include various types of injections such as cortisone steroid injections. These shots are purposed to relieve severe pain and inflammation. As a last resort, surgery may be recommended in cases where there is spinal compression.