Are shoulder bone spurs painful?

Shoulder bone spurs are painful, according to WebMD. They may also cause irritation, weakness, inflammation, stiffness and even tearing of a tendon when they pinch the rotator cuff tendons.

Bone spurs are bony growths formed on normal bones in response to rubbing, pressure or stress, explains WebMD. Despite the moniker, they are not sharp but smooth and form as the body is trying to repair damage by building more bone. Shoulder bone spurs commonly form between the upper arm and the top of the shoulder. Causes of the spurs include age and repetitive shoulder motion, such as with baseball players.