Though most bone spurs go undetected for years, some can limit your range of motion or cause pain. In such cases, bone spur removal may be required.

Bone spurs, which are also called osteophytes, can occur anywhere along a bone. They are small projections that can develop on any bone, and they are frequently found where bones come together to form joints. They can also be found in places where the ligaments and tendons connect to bones, and they are common along the bones of the spine. In the majority of cases, bone spurs can go undetected for years because they cause no symptoms. Sometimes, though, the spurs can rub against bones, nerves, or other tissue. When this happens, the results can be very painful, and in some cases, it can also limit one's range of motion. When bone spurs are severe, many people consider bone spur removal. As a surgical procedure, this can be risky, but it can also help to eliminate or greatly reduce the symptoms of bone spurs that are severe enough to disrupt your very day life.

Because many bone spurs do not cause any pain, the majority do not need to be removed. Many of those that do cause pain are still mild enough that the symptoms can be treated using over the counter pain medications or anti-inflammatory medications. In other cases, though, the pain becomes more severe or the spurs are located in a place that causes one's range of motion to become limited. In these cases, surgical removal often becomes necessary. The exact procedure will depend upon the location and severity of the spur. It will also depend on the surgeon performing the operation. Sometimes spurs can be removed as part of another operation. Other times, a separate procedure is needed. Surgery is done as either an open procedure, where the surgeon cuts a large incision, or as an arthroscopic procedure where small incisions are made, and special surgical tools are inserted. The surgeon then uses a camera to perform the operation.

Most often, bone spurs go undetected and do not require any sort of medical intervention. Other cases are mild enough that any pain can be controlled using over the counter medications. When bone spurs are more severe, it may be necessary to have the spurs removed surgically.