Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, or “osteophytes” in medical terminology, are a pathological manifestation of joint aging. “The term “bone spur” is inaccurate, and joint pain is not caused by bone spurs, but by multiple reactions caused by the destruction of joint cartilage. Bone spurs can neither be “solved” by medication nor made to disappear by massage or tui-na. Bone spurs are a physiological protective measure. Bones are constantly metabolizing, and new growth and aging are in a dynamic balance. In middle and old age, the aging rate is greater than the growth rate, then osteoporosis occurs, and bone redundancy grows on the joints that are often weight-bearing. The heel of the foot is under the most pressure and is most prone to bone spurs. The knee and hip joints are large weight-bearing joints, and they are also the parts that are prone to bone spurs. Long-term poor sleeping and sitting posture, lack of exercise, as well as long-term intake of calcium-containing foods and wearing high heels are all causes of bone spurs. According to statistics, about 80% of people over 50 years old have bone spurs, 90% over 60 years old, and 100% over 70 years old have bone spurs. There is no need to be afraid of bone spurs. A bone spur is not a spur that grows into the bone, but looks like a “spur” on an x-ray. It is not usually painful because it has a protective effect of its own. Some patients have pain because of soft tissue (ligament, fascia) injury or strain; some have painful media due to degenerative disease of bones and soft tissues; and some have increased intraosseous pressure due to the above reasons. The pain remains at rest (medically called rest pain), but it is not a sharp pain like a knife cut, but a dull, dull pain, soreness and indescribable unpleasantness, which is a manifestation of increased intraosseous pressure. What to do if you have a bone spur Go to a regular hospital orthopedic department and have a doctor make a clear diagnosis to rule out other diseases. If it is only a growing bone spur, there is no need to worry about it without symptoms and no treatment is needed. Do not seek prescriptions from doctors before the diagnosis is made, and especially do not believe that there is a magic medicine to dissolve bone spurs, as this will not only not help, but will cause more harm. Bone spurs and bone components are the same, if you can dissolve the bone spurs, normal bones will be dissolved, which is obviously a lie. There is no direct relationship between the size of the bone spur and the pain. Some bone spurs are small, but the pain is obvious, while others are obvious but not painful. If there are painful symptoms, the doctor can first use conservative therapy such as anti-inflammatory painkillers, muscle relaxants or closure, or, depending on the condition, also use hot compresses and physical therapy methods to activate the blood, relax the muscles, promote local blood circulation, and reduce nerve compression. Surgical treatment. Generally, surgery is not required for bone redundancy. However, when the bone superfluous irritates or compresses the nerves and blood vessels, and produces obvious symptoms and may cause paralysis, surgery should be performed to remove the bone superfluous that compresses the nerves and blood vessels. Surgery is usually considered when medication or physical therapy does not work after 1 to 3 months, or when symptoms worsen.