Is osteophyte formation serious?

Written by Kuang Tao
Orthopedics
Updated on May 20, 2025
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Bone hyperplasia is like a natural condition that arises as people age, similar to how black hair gradually turns white. It refers to the formation of bone spurs as one grows older. This occurs because the ligaments and joint capsules around the joints become less tight over time. Humans have a significant compensatory ability to form new stabilizations. The ligaments and joint capsules around the joints may calcify to create this new stability. Therefore, bone hyperplasia is not considered a disease per se. As long as it does not compress nerves or blood vessels, it is generally not serious and does not require treatment.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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What is bone hyperplasia?

Bone hyperplasia is primarily caused by degenerative changes in the joints or due to trauma, chronic strain, and other factors, leading to the destruction of cartilage and subsequently causing a reactive proliferation of cartilage. Bone hyperplasia is a physiological phenomenon, commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly patients. When bone hyperplasia is asymptomatic, treatment is not required; however, when it irritates surrounding tissues, symptoms such as pain and restricted movement can occur, and treatment is necessary. Treatment mainly involves symptomatic medication, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, drugs that nourish the cartilage, and drugs that nourish the nerves, among others. Additionally, treatment can include hot compresses, physical therapy, or surgery, all of which can effectively improve symptoms. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor and do not use them indiscriminately on your own.)

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Written by Kuang Tao
Orthopedics
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Is osteophyte formation serious?

Bone hyperplasia is like a natural condition that arises as people age, similar to how black hair gradually turns white. It refers to the formation of bone spurs as one grows older. This occurs because the ligaments and joint capsules around the joints become less tight over time. Humans have a significant compensatory ability to form new stabilizations. The ligaments and joint capsules around the joints may calcify to create this new stability. Therefore, bone hyperplasia is not considered a disease per se. As long as it does not compress nerves or blood vessels, it is generally not serious and does not require treatment.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Can osteophytes be massaged?

Osteophyte, or bone spur, symptoms such as localized pain can be alleviated through massage. However, massage only serves as a relief and does not aim to treat the bone spur itself. Clinically, the treatment for bone spurs also focuses merely on symptomatic relief; it is impossible to completely eliminate bone spurs through oral medications or other physical therapies. Besides massage, options such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications, as well as medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, can be used to relieve pain. Additionally, local injections, such as block injections, can also provide relief. However, it is important to remember that the dosage and frequency of block injections are limited; generally, one to two injections per month is the maximum. Excessive use of block injections can damage local muscles and ligaments, worsening the symptoms of bone spurs. (Please consult your doctor before using any medications and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How to recover from bone hyperplasia?

Bone hyperplasia is mainly caused by degenerative joint changes, trauma, chronic overuse, and other factors, leading to the destruction of cartilage and consequently causing a reactive proliferation of the cartilage. When bone hyperplasia is asymptomatic, it does not require treatment. However, when it causes irritation to surrounding tissues, symptoms such as pain and limited mobility may occur, and treatment is necessary. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory analgesics, drugs that nourish the cartilage, and other medical treatments. These can be combined with hot compresses, physical therapy, and joint injections. These methods can contribute to symptom improvement. When symptoms are more severe, conservative treatments are ineffective, and functional impairments occur, surgical methods may also be considered for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
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Symptoms of lumbar hyperostosis

The symptoms of lumbar spondylosis mainly include localized pain and limited mobility. This condition can be alleviated through conservative treatments such as massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and magnetotherapy to relieve localized pain. Alternatively, block therapy can be used for relief. It is important to note that block therapy rapidly reduces pain symptoms, but its duration is limited. Also, the frequency of using this method is strictly limited to a maximum of 1-2 times per month because the injection contains a high concentration of steroids, which can damage local muscles or ligaments and potentially worsen the pain. (For specific medication use, please follow the guidance of a doctor and do not self-medicate.)