symptoms of bone hyperplasia

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Under normal circumstances, in the early stages of osteophyte formation, the condition mainly manifests as localized pain in patients, especially during periods of increased activity or exposure to cold, when the pain is more pronounced.

If the osteophyte formation progressively worsens over time and occurs in the spine, it may lead to conditions such as cervical or lumbar spine diseases. This, in turn, causes patients to experience neck pain, back pain, and in severe cases, symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the arms, unsteady walking, a sensation of walking on cotton, and even abnormalities in urination and defecation. Additionally, if the osteophyte formation occurs in the joints, it often leads to joint deformities.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Causes of bone hyperplasia

There are several reasons for the onset of bone proliferation in clinical practice, with the main considerations being the following situations. For example, as age increases, it can lead to bone proliferation in patients. Additionally, some patients may engage in heavy physical labor, and the repeated local friction and stimulation can also lead to bone proliferation. Furthermore, if a patient sustains a local trauma, it can similarly lead to bone proliferation. These are common causes of bone proliferation. In mild cases of bone proliferation, the symptoms are usually localized pain. In severe cases, it may cause joint deformities and even impinge on spinal nerves.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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What should not be eaten with osteophyte formation?

Patients with bone hyperplasia should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, high-fat and high-calorie foods, such as fatty meat, barbecue, fried foods, and foods with high sugar content, as these are detrimental to health and can easily lead to diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Patients with bone hyperplasia are encouraged to consume more calcium-rich foods, such as milk, shrimp shells, beans, and ribs. These foods are rich in calcium. Additionally, it is beneficial to get more sun exposure, adequately supplement with vitamin D, and engage in proper physical exercise, all of which help promote the absorption of calcium.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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What should I do about bone hyperplasia?

For the issue of how to deal with osteophyte formation, the incidence rate is very high clinically. The treatment method mainly depends on the severity of the patient's osteophyte formation. If the patient's osteophyte formation is very severe, such as deformities in the joints or nerve compression that affect the patient's normal work or life, it is necessary to actively perform surgical treatment. For example, joint replacement or discectomy, spinal canal enlargement and decompression may be performed to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. Additionally, it is necessary to actively use nutritional and neurological medications to promote nerve recovery. For cases of mild osteophyte formation, conservative treatment options include oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that combat osteophyte formation. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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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 Jie
Orthopedics
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What department should I go to for osteophyte?

Strictly speaking, bone hyperplasia itself is not a disease diagnosis, but a radiological diagnosis. That is to say, if a patient goes for an X-ray, it might be discovered that there is bone hyperplasia in the cervical or lumbar spine. However, this bone hyperplasia may not necessarily cause symptoms; some patients may have very obvious bone hyperplasia but experience no pain or restricted movement. In such cases, medical consultation is not necessary. If the bone hyperplasia causes pain or symptoms like restricted joint movement, then these conditions might require medical attention. Generally, it is recommended that patients consult an orthopedist first, as orthopedics is a specialized field that can play a role in triaging and broadly determining the direction of treatment. Therefore, it is advised that patients with bone hyperplasia, who wish to seek medical advice, should see an orthopedist first.