Q. What are bone spurs? And, is taking a calcium supplement going to help it or hurt it?
A. First of all, besides all the wonderful support I have had after my surgery, I have had lots of e-mails/ notes of fellow back and neck pain “sufferers.” Thank you for your support and input, including the above question.
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony projections that form along joints. The spurs themselves are not painful but they can rub against nerves (I know all about that!) and bones and can cause pain and limit joint movement. Bone spurs form due to the body’s increase of a damaged joint surface area.
Signs and symptoms
n In your knee ó The bone spurs can make it painful to bend and extend your leg. They can get in the way of the bones and tendons that keep the knee running smoothly.
n On your spine ó When the bone spurs push against the nerves, they can cause pain and numbness elsewhere in your body.
n On your neck ó When the bone spurs move inward, occasionally it can make swallowing difficult and breathing painful. They can also push against veins, restricting blood flow to the brain. (I did not experience any of that.)
n On your shoulder ó The bone spurs can restrict the range of motion of your arm. It can rub on your rotator cuff, a group of tendons that help control your shoulder movements, swell, cause tendonitis, and tear or put tears in your rotator cuff.
n Fingers or toes ó These bone spurs are called Heberden’s nodes. They are bony swellings on the furthest joints before the tip of your fingers and toes. Bouchard nodes are hard bony growths or gelatinus cysts on the middle joints of the fingers and toes.
Now, the cause of bone spurs can also be a deficiency of calcium. We know that getting bone spurs increases the older you get. As an adolescent, you may absorb up to 75 percent of calcium obtained from foods.
As an adult, that decreases to 20 to 30 percent of maximum absorption.
Calcium is not only found in the bones. It is found in cells and soft tissues, especially the muscles. When the body is deficient of calcium, it begins to leach calcium from the bones.
Many people experience heel spurs as they age. It can also happen in another weak part of your body. As calcium is being leached, it can form a bone spur.
Especially if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, additional calcium supplements are needed.
There are no medical studies showing calcium supplement can treat bone spurs, but studies do show they can be an important part of helping to prevent bone spurs, and the calcium supplements may make you feel healthier.
I hope this answered your questions.
Oh, and, I am feeling GREAT!
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Contact Ester Hoeben with health and fitness questions at 704-636-0111 or eburgess@rowanymca.com.