The difference between osteophytes and bone metastases lies in the differences in etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms and treatments. 1. Osteomalacia: It is a normal physiological reaction of human body due to calcium deposition caused by local inflammatory stimulation or stress. Such as prolonged strenuous exercise, tendon injuries, strain injury, etc., so that the tendon attachment repeated pulling damage, localized due to tiny bleeding, hematoma mechanization, the formation of osteophytes. This is a normal physiological mechanism of the human body, generally asymptomatic, without treatment. However, osteophytes can also undergo pathologic changes, such as leg pain and dysfunction caused by osteophytes in the knee joint. It can be treated by physical, medication, surgery and other methods, and the prognosis is generally good. 2. Bone metastasis: it is due to the primary cancer foci transferring to bone tissues through blood and lymphatic channels. Early stage of bone metastasis usually does not have any symptom, and patient’s symptom is usually related to the location and quantity of tumor metastasis. For example, if lung cancer patients have rib metastasis, it may cause chest pain and chest wall pressure pain. Treatment generally includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. There is a big difference between the two and they should be treated differently. Relevant patients are recommended to seek timely medical examination and targeted treatment.