ostéophytes

Ostéophytes, or osteophytes, are bony outgrowths that form at the margins of joints. They are a common feature of aging joints and are often described as bone spurs. While they can occur in various joints, they most frequently develop in the spine, knees, hips, hands, and feet, usually where cartilage has begun to wear away or where there is chronic joint stress.

Osteophyte formation is thought to be a response to joint degeneration or repetitive mechanical load. Loss of cartilage, instability, or inflammatory processes can stimulate the growth of new bone at the joint margins as a stabilizing, but sometimes problematic, adaptation. In the spine, osteophytes can arise at the facet joints or along the anterior or lateral margins of the vertebral bodies. These spur formations may coexist with other degenerative changes such as intervertebral disc thinning or ligamentous hypertrophy.

Clinically, osteophytes are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging. When they become large or impinge on nearby nerves, spinal foramina, or tendons, they can cause pain, reduced range of motion, stiffness, or neurovascular symptoms in the affected region. In the spine, cervical or lumbar osteophytes can contribute to radiculopathy or myelopathy.

Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment supported by imaging. Plain radiographs can reveal bony projections; computed tomography provides detailed bone anatomy, and magnetic resonance imaging can evaluate adjacent soft tissues and nerve compression.

Treatment is tailored to symptoms. Conservative management includes rest, physical therapy, analgesics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Injections may reduce inflammation, and surgical removal (osteophytectomy) is considered for persistent pain or neural compression after nonoperative measures have failed. Addressing underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis can also influence management.