Bone spurs can develop on bones throughout the body. Bone spurs are typically not harmful; however, in some cases they can lead to symptoms like pain and stiffness. These symptoms are often localized around the bone spur. A spur on your wrist bone might cause wrist pain, for example. If you’re dealing with elbow pain that comes with a grating feeling whenever you bend your arm, you might have an elbow bone spur.
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony growths that can form on joints. They often develop due to wear and tear. When they develop in the elbow, they can cause pain, reduced range of motion and discomfort during everyday tasks. There are a number of risk factors that may contribute to the development of bone spurs. For example, the Mayo Clinic notes that the risk of bone spurs is higher in people who have arthritis. Fortunately, bone spur symptoms can be managed with physical therapy.
What do bone spurs feel like?
Elbow bone spurs can cause a variety of symptoms, which may worsen over time if left untreated. One common symptom you might experience is a sharp, persistent pain. You may feel a sharp or aching pain when moving your arm, especially when straightening or bending your elbow. This pain typically occurs as the result of a bone spur pressing against soft tissue.
Bone spurs can also make your elbow feel stiff. You may have a hard time fully extending or bending your elbow. Depending on the location and size of your bone spurs, you may feel like your arm is locked in place. When you do move your arm at the elbow, you might notice a grinding or popping noise. This might be accompanied by an uncomfortable grating sensation. Grinding can happen as a bone spur rubs against surrounding bone or soft tissue.
When bone spurs irritate surrounding tissue, it can lead to inflammation. As a result, you may feel like your elbow is swollen and warm. If you feel any numbness or tingling, the cause could be a compressed nerve. Sometimes bone spurs pinch nearby nerves, which can lead to symptoms like numbness, pain, tingling and weakness. These symptoms may spread beyond your elbow, radiating into your forearm and hand.
The symptoms of bone spurs can make it hard to perform everyday tasks. If you have bone spurs that are interfering with your daily life, seeking treatment can be essential. A licensed physical therapist can work with you to develop a treatment plan designed to effectively address your bone spur symptoms.
How physical therapy can treat elbow bone spurs
- Strengthening exercises — Exercises are a core part of physical therapy for elbow bone spurs. Strengthening the muscles around the elbow can help stabilize the joint and reduce stress on the affected area. Your physical therapist will help you find exercises that match your needs. They may recommend focusing on building strength in your biceps and triceps muscles. Strengthening these muscles improves overall arm support and reduces joint stress. This can be important, as your elbow joint may be experiencing more stress than usual due to bone spurs. Grip strengthening exercises could be helpful as well.
- Total Motion Release® — Total Motion Release (TMR®) offers a holistic approach to alignment and healing. TMR addresses the whole body, treating it as one cohesive system. This approach involves specialized physical therapy exercises designed to improve movement. If you’re experiencing stiffness around your elbow, targeted TMR stretches may improve flexibility and relieve tension in the surrounding soft tissue.
- Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization is a technique used in hands-on manual therapy. Elbow bone spurs often cause joint stiffness, limiting your ability to move the elbow fully. Joint mobilization involves gently moving the joint through its natural range of motion to reduce stiffness and improve flexibility. Over time, this can help restore normal movement and relieve pain. Joint mobilization can have many benefits; it can reduce locking or catching sensations in your elbow joint and improve your overall range of motion. When paired with other PT treatment methods, joint mobilization can play a key role in preventing long-term loss of mobility.
- Activity modifications — Poor posture and repetitive activities can contribute to the development of bone spurs or worsen existing symptoms. When it comes to preventing and managing bone spurs, activity modification may be one of the most effective approaches. Your physical therapist can offer guidance on proper posture and show you how to modify daily activities to avoid further stress on your elbow. Postural adjustments may include ergonomic changes to your workstation or changes to the way you lift objects. Your therapist might advise you to avoid any repetitive movements that trigger elbow pain. By following professional guidance, you can protect your body and reduce your risk of bone spur growth in the future.
Get treatment for your elbow bone spur symptoms at Forever Fit
At Forever Fit, we’re committed to meeting each patient’s unique needs. We provide a range of evidence-based treatments at 10 different Maryland locations. When you’re ready to start managing your bone spur symptoms, we’re ready to help you each step of the way.
Contact our team today for more information about bone spurs or to schedule an initial appointment.