Osteophytes are small bone spurs, similar to a pink thorn, a beak or a claw, which are formed along the articular margins of bones affected by erosive and irritative chronic processes.
As shown in the figure, larger osteophytes are easily detected even by the inexperienced eye, appearing as an irregularity of the bone profile. The radiological progression of the osteophytes can also be used by the doctor to assess the adequacy of the therapy undertaken and the evolution of the underlying pathology.
Given their origin, osteophytes are more common among the elderly, in competitive athletes, in obese subjects and in patients affected by congenital or secondary joint malformations due to traumatic events.
Symptoms
The presence of osteophytes in the joint margins can contribute to:
- accentuate the painful phenomena (first pain during movements, then constant and increasing pain even at rest)
- increase joint degeneration with cartilage wear
- limit the movements of the joint
- create mechanical obstructions (for example a cervical osteophytosis can cause difficulty in swallowing)
- irritate a nerve root with irradiation of pain and muscle weakness (typical consequence of osteophytosis of the vertebral body margins)
Causes of origin
From the physiopathological point of view, it is believed that the formation of osteophytes is a phenomenon of bone neo-apposition dictated by the attempt to establish a greater contact surface between the joint heads worn by the disease. In the specific case of arthrosis:
- Genetic predisposition + Joint incongruity, Overload or Obesity → wear and damage of cartilage → reduction of joint thickness + release of inflammatory mediators → increased turnover of the subchondral bone (underlying the cartilage) and enlargement of the epiphysis with formation of osteophytes
Care
To date there is no simple and effective cure for osteoarthritis and related osteophytes; once started, the cartilaginous degeneration is almost unstoppable: through appropriate therapeutic aids it is however possible to slow down the phenomenon
- anti-inflammatory drugs, topical application of capsicin, infiltration of hyaluronic acid, reduction of body weight in the case of obesity, constant physical activity involving proprioceptive and mobility exercises avoiding excessive overloads, correction of possible postural defects, integration of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for orally, alkaline diet rich in omega-three
or proceed with surgical replacement of the joint damaged by osteophytes with a mechanical prosthesis.
