Bone Spurs in Shoulder & Neck: When to See an Orthopedic Surgeon

Bone spurs — also called osteophytes — are smooth, bony growths that can cause pain and stiffness when they press on tendons or nerves in the shoulder or neck.

What Are Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are extra bits of bone that grow where they should not — typically at joint margins or along vertebrae. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), bone spurs are the body's natural response to joint damage, friction, or instability. They form slowly over months or years as the body attempts to repair worn cartilage or stabilize a degenerating joint.

By themselves, bone spurs are not dangerous. In fact, most people over age 50 have at least a few bone spurs somewhere in their body and never know it. Problems arise only when a spur grows in a location where it irritates soft tissue or pinches a nerve. This is especially common in two areas: the shoulder (where spurs narrow the subacromial space) and the neck (where spurs narrow the neural foramina through which spinal nerves exit).

Why Do Bone Spurs Form?

The Cleveland Clinic identifies several factors that contribute to bone spur development:

• Osteoarthritis — The most common cause. As cartilage wears away, the body grows bone spurs to compensate for lost cushioning and stability.
• Aging and wear-and-tear — Decades of repetitive motion gradually damage joint surfaces, especially in the shoulder and cervical spine.
• Repetitive overhead activity — Athletes, painters, and mechanics who work with arms overhead are at higher risk for shoulder bone spurs.
• Poor posture — Chronic forward head posture ("tech neck") accelerates spur formation in the cervical spine.
• Previous injury — A past rotator cuff tear, shoulder dislocation, or whiplash can trigger abnormal bone remodeling.
• Genetics — Some individuals inherit a tendency toward early joint degeneration.

Bone Spurs in the Shoulder: Symptoms and Diagnosis

The shoulder is one of the most common locations for symptomatic bone spurs. Spurs often develop on the underside of the acromion — the bony arch at the top of the shoulder — or at the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. As these spurs grow, they reduce the space available for the rotator cuff tendons to glide freely, a condition known as subacromial impingement.

Because bone spurs often coexist with other shoulder conditions, you may also benefit from learning about rotator cuff surgery recovery and shoulder labral tear symptoms.

Common Shoulder Bone Spur Symptoms

• Pain when lifting the arm overhead — The hallmark sign of impingement.
• Stiffness and loss of range of motion — Reaching behind the back becomes difficult.
• Weakness in the affected arm — Particularly with overhead activities or lifting objects.
• Pain that worsens at night — Many patients report difficulty sleeping on the affected side.
• A catching or popping sensation — A click may be felt or heard when moving the shoulder.

How Shoulder Bone Spurs Are Diagnosed

Dr. Weinstein begins with a thorough history, physical examination, and specific impingement tests. Imaging studies confirm the diagnosis:

• X-rays — Clearly show bone spurs, acromion shape, and subacromial space width.
• MRI — Evaluates the rotator cuff tendons for tears or inflammation and reveals soft-tissue damage X-rays cannot.

Bone Spurs in the Neck: Symptoms and Diagnosis

In the cervical spine, bone spurs form at facet joints, along vertebral disc edges, or around the openings (foramina) where nerve roots exit the spinal canal. When a spur narrows these openings, the result is cervical radiculopathy — nerve compression causing pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the neck into the arm or hand. For related conditions, see our articles on cervical disc surgery options and spinal stenosis.

Common Neck Bone Spur Symptoms

• Neck pain and stiffness — Often worse in the morning or after prolonged sitting.
• Radiating pain into the shoulder, arm, or hand — Follows the compressed nerve root's path.
• Numbness or tingling — Typically felt in the fingers or hand.
• Arm or hand weakness — Dropping objects or struggling with fine motor tasks.
• Headaches — Spurs at the top of the cervical spine can trigger headaches at the base of the skull.
• Loss of balance or coordination — In rare, severe cases of spinal cord compression (cervical myelopathy), this requires urgent evaluation.

How Neck Bone Spurs Are Diagnosed

Dr. Castro and Dr. Weinstein use clinical evaluation and advanced imaging:

• Neck X-rays — Reveal bone spurs, disc-space narrowing, and cervical curvature loss.
• Cervical MRI — The gold standard for visualizing nerve root compression and spinal cord involvement.
• EMG — Helps pinpoint which nerve root is affected.

When to See an Orthopedic Surgeon

Many people with bone spurs manage their symptoms with over-the-counter medications, activity modification, and time. However, certain warning signs indicate that it is time to consult a specialist:

Red-Flag Symptoms That Require Prompt Evaluation

• Persistent shoulder or neck pain lasting more than a few weeks despite rest and conservative measures.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm, hand, or fingers — signs of nerve involvement.
• Pain that radiates from the neck down the arm or from the shoulder into the upper arm.
• Difficulty sleeping because of shoulder or neck pain.
• Loss of strength — dropping items, unable to lift the arm overhead, or trouble gripping.
• Loss of balance or coordination — may indicate spinal cord compression; requires urgent attention.
• Symptoms that interfere with work, sports, or daily activities.

Early evaluation does not mean you will need surgery. The majority of patients improve with nonsurgical treatment, but an accurate diagnosis is essential — what feels like a "sore shoulder" could involve a rotator cuff tear, and routine neck stiffness could hide cervical nerve compression.

Bone Spur Treatment: From Conservative to Surgical

The goal of bone spur treatment is to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent further damage. At Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care, treatment always begins with the least invasive approach that is likely to be effective.

Conservative (Nonsurgical) Treatments

Most patients respond well to nonsurgical management:

• Rest and activity modification — Avoid overhead reaching, heavy lifting, or prolonged forward-head posture.
• Physical therapy — Often the single most effective nonsurgical treatment. Targeted exercises strengthen muscles, improve posture, and restore range of motion.
• NSAIDs — Ibuprofen, naproxen, and similar medications reduce pain and inflammation.
• Corticosteroid injections — Subacromial injections for shoulder impingement; cervical epidural or nerve root injections for neck pain. Relief typically lasts weeks to months.
• Ergonomic adjustments — Workstation setup, pillow height, and sleep position modifications reduce strain.

When Conservative Treatment Is Not Enough

If three to six months of conservative treatment does not provide adequate relief — or if imaging reveals nerve compression, a rotator cuff tear, or spinal cord involvement — Dr. Weinstein or Dr. Castro may recommend bone spur surgery.

Shoulder Bone Spur Surgery (Arthroscopic Decompression)

Dr. Joseph Weinstein performs arthroscopic subacromial decompression, a minimally invasive procedure to remove the bone spur and create more space for the rotator cuff tendons. Key details:

• Technique: Small incisions (portals) allow a tiny camera (arthroscope) and instruments to visualize and remove the spur with precision.
• Bone spur removal: The spur on the underside of the acromion is shaved smooth. If the AC joint is arthritic, a small portion of the clavicle may also be removed.
• Rotator cuff repair: If the spur has torn the rotator cuff tendon, the tear is repaired in the same procedure.
• Recovery: Same-day discharge. A sling is worn briefly, followed by structured physical therapy. Full recovery takes 2 to 4 months. See our rotator cuff surgery recovery guide for details.

Neck Bone Spur Surgery (Cervical Spine Procedures)

When cervical bone spurs compress nerve roots or the spinal cord, Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Castro offer several surgical options:

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): The most common cervical spine surgery. The surgeon approaches from the front of the neck, removes the disc and bone spurs, and fuses the adjacent vertebrae.
• Cervical Disc Replacement: An artificial disc preserves motion at the treated level instead of fusion. See our comparison of cervical disc replacement versus fusion.
• Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: A minimally invasive approach from the back of the neck that widens the nerve opening and removes the spur without fusion.
• Laminoplasty or Laminectomy: For multi-level spinal cord compression, the surgeon creates more room in the spinal canal.

Cervical spine surgery typically requires a 1- to 3-day hospital stay. Most patients walk within 24 hours and begin physical therapy within weeks. Foraminotomy patients often return to desk work in 2 to 3 weeks; ACDF recovery spans 3 to 6 months for full fusion.

Recovery and What to Expect After Bone Spur Removal

Recovery from bone spur removal follows a general pattern:

• First 1–2 weeks: Rest, pain management, gentle range-of-motion exercises. Shoulder patients wear a sling; neck patients may use a soft collar.
• Weeks 2–6: Supervised physical therapy begins — mobility, gentle strengthening, scar-tissue prevention.
• Weeks 6–12: Progressive strengthening. Most daily activities resume. Desk workers typically return to work.
• Months 3–6: Return to sports and full activity. Spinal fusion patients may need the full six months for complete healing.

Long-term outcomes are excellent. Arthroscopic shoulder decompression has success rates above 85% for pain relief, and cervical nerve decompression provides significant improvement in over 90% of appropriately selected patients, according to AAOS data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bone spurs grow back after surgery?

Recurrence is uncommon after surgical removal. The goal of surgery is to correct the mechanical environment that caused the spur, so the body no longer produces bone in that location. Recurrence is more likely if underlying arthritis continues to progress.

Are bone spurs the same as arthritis?

Bone spurs are a feature of osteoarthritis, not a separate disease. Osteoarthritis involves cartilage breakdown, and bone spur formation is one of the body's responses. You can have spurs without significant arthritis and vice versa, but the two frequently coexist.

What happens if I ignore a bone spur in my shoulder?

Untreated shoulder bone spurs can lead to chronic inflammation, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and eventually a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Early evaluation and treatment — even conservative — can prevent this progression.

Is bone spur surgery covered by insurance?

Yes. Bone spur removal is medically necessary when causing documented pain, functional limitation, or nerve compression. We accept most major insurance plans, including Workers' Compensation and No-Fault claims.

How do I know if my neck pain is from a bone spur?

You cannot determine the cause without imaging. If neck pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating into your arm or hand, nerve compression from a bone spur is a strong possibility. An MRI confirms the diagnosis.

Can physical therapy alone fix a bone spur?

Therapy cannot remove a bone spur, but it can strengthen surrounding muscles, improve biomechanics, and reduce inflammation to the point where the spur is no longer symptomatic. Many patients avoid surgery entirely through dedicated physical therapy.

Our Locations

Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care has two convenient offices serving the greater New York City metro area:

Rego Park, Queens — NYC Office

Address: 62-54 97th Place, Suite 2C, Rego Park, NY 11374
Phone: 718-313-0766
Serving: Queens, Forest Hills, Elmhurst, Middle Village, Flushing, and greater NYC

Englewood, NJ Office

Address: 220 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
Phone: 201-816-0766
Serving: Englewood, Teaneck, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Tenafly, and Bergen County

Insurance and Payment

We accept most major insurance plans, including:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Cigna
• Empire
• Great West Healthcare
• Humana
• QualCare
• United Healthcare
• Workers' Compensation
• No-Fault Insurance / Personal Injury claims

If you do not see your insurance carrier listed, please call our office — we may still be able to accommodate you or help you understand your out-of-network benefits.

References

1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Bone Spurs (Osteophytes). OrthoInfo. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/bone-spurs
2. Cleveland Clinic. Bone Spurs: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10393-bone-spurs
3. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Rotator Cuff Tears. OrthoInfo. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/rotator-cuff-tears
4. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). OrthoInfo. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified orthopedic surgeon or other licensed healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.