What is a bone spur?

A bone spur is a piece of bone that grows out from another bone, such as the heel bone or the vertebrae. Some bone spurs are asymptomatic and don't have to be treated. Other bone spurs, such as those that develop in Haglund's syndrome, are quite painful.

These spurs cause not only pain, but also inflammation. Since many develop around the area of a joint, they can make it hard to move the joint.

Bone spurs are often the result of injury or arthritis. They are the body's attempt to compensate for lost cartilage. They can be treated with painkillers if they're not affecting the nerves or making it too difficult to move.