Lumbar (low back) osteophytes

Lumbar osteophytes are also known as low back bone spurs. Lumbar bone spurs usually occur around the attachment areas of ligaments and tendons (enthesis). When the ligament and tendon attachments become injured or chronically irritated can lead to abnormal bone growth in that area and bone spurs develop. Its usually simple wear and tear that occurs with normal ageing that causes bone spurs. The process of bone spurs can be accelerated by low back osteoarthritis or previous injuries. This process is sometimes referred to as lumbar spondylosis.

Symptoms

Low back bone spurs are not painful until they grow large enough to place pressure on a pain-sensitive structure like a nerve, intervertebral disc or the spinal cord.

Treatment

The treatment of low back bone spurs is based on many factors. Bone spurs are not typically an issue when minor. Extensive and complicated bone spurs may need to be treated at times. Please consult your healthcare providers such as a chiropractor or medical doctor for personalised information.

Causes of low back pain

The following conditions are common causes of low back pain.

• Lumbar myelopathy
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Bone Spurs
• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
• Pinched nerve
• Lumbar radiculopathy
• Lumbar facet joint pain
• Bulging Disc
• Herniated Disc
• Disc protrusion
• Discogenic pain
• Post laminectomy syndrome
• Coccydynia
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spondyloarthropathy
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Reiter’s syndrome
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Enteropathic arthritis
• Sacroiliac disorders
• Foot drop
• Spinal neurofibroma
• Acute low pain
• Chronic low back pain
• Stiff low back
• Trigger points in the low back
• Red flags for low back pain
• Internal disc disruption
• Lumbar spondylosis
• Lumbar facet syndrome
• Lumbar foraminal stenosis
• Lumbar disc herniation
• Lumbar osteoarthritis
• Lumbar osteophytes