Bone Spurs: Causes, Symptoms, and First Aid Awareness

A bone spur is a bony growth that forms on otherwise normal bone. While bone spurs are usually smooth and develop slowly, they can cause discomfort or pain if they rub against nearby bones or soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, or nerves.

Bone spurs most commonly develop in the shoulders, spine, hands, knees, hips, and feet. Many Canadians live with bone spurs without ever realizing it, as they often cause no symptoms unless surrounding tissues are affected.

Why Do Bone Spurs Form?

Bone spurs develop as part of the body’s natural response to ongoing stress, pressure, or friction. Common contributing factors include:

• Aging: As cartilage wears down with age, bones may respond by forming additional bone

• Joint degeneration: Conditions such as osteoarthritis can lead to spur formation

• Repetitive stress: Activities like running, dancing, or physically demanding work

• Foot stress: Tight ligaments, excess body weight, or ill-fitting footwear

• Spinal changes: Disc degeneration that reduces cushioning between vertebrae

When bone spurs press on surrounding tissues, they may gradually cause inflammation, irritation, or tearing, leading to pain and reduced movement.

What Are the Symptoms?

Many people have bone spurs without symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Localized pain near a joint
• Swelling or stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Pain caused by movement or pressure on nearby tissues

Symptoms depend on where the bone spur is located and whether it affects surrounding structures.

Management and First Aid Considerations

Bone spurs do not usually require treatment unless they cause pain or interfere with movement. Management typically focuses on symptom relief and reducing stress on the affected area, which may include:

• Rest and activity modification
• Ice application to reduce pain and inflammation
• Stretching and mobility exercises
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (as advised by a healthcare professional)
• Footwear changes, padding, or inserts for foot-related bone spurs

In more severe cases, bone spurs may be addressed surgically, often as part of treatment for joint damage caused by osteoarthritis.

First Aid & Training Note

This information is provided for educational and first aid awareness purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Persistent joint pain, swelling, or mobility issues should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. Call 911 in an emergency.

Understanding how to recognize musculoskeletal pain and injuries is an important part of first aid training. St. Mark James Training, Canada’s largest 100% Canadian-owned and operated first aid and CPR training provider, offers first aid and safety training across Canada to help individuals and workplaces respond confidently to injuries and chronic conditions.