Over our lives, bone spurs (small, irregular bone growths also
called osteophytes) may form on the facet joints and around the
spinal vertebrae. Bone spurs typically grow in response to bone-
on-bone friction in the spine. How does this friction occur? As
arthritis develops and the joint surface cartilage erodes, the
ends of facet joints are exposed and begin to rub directly
against one another, and bone spurs form. Bone spurs also may
develop as the soft discs located between the vertebrae become
thin and collapse with age. Spaces between the vertebrae narrow,
and eventually, adjacent vertebrae may rub together, causing
bone spurs to form along the edges of the vertebrae. Bone spurs
are a natural response to joint instability – essentially, they
are the body's attempt to help return stability to the joint.
Yet, while bone spurs might be intended to improve joint
stability, this enlargement of the normal bony structure
actually indicates degeneration of the spine. Bone spurs are a
normal part of the aging proc