What Are Hip Bone Spurs?

Hip bone spurs can form as the body responds to a breakdown of joint cartilage, which often occurs along with the natural aging process. A loss of cartilage, which cushions the ends of bones where they come together in a joint, can lead to painful bone-on-bone contact. A bone spur is the body’s way of protecting a weakened joint.

Some people have hip bone spurs for years without experiencing any symptoms. However, discomfort such as pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion may develop if a bone spur comes in contact with nearby tissue.

Do hip bone spurs require treatment?

In general, a bone spur will not require treatment unless it causes uncomfortable symptoms, in which case there are a number of potentially effective ways to reduce the associated hip pain and stiffness. Some common options include:

• Weight loss, if necessary, to reduce the load on the hip joints
• Pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can be taken as needed to alleviate pain and inflammation
• Physical therapy, including exercises to enhance the flexibility and strength of the muscles that support the hips

Surgery may be considered if hip bone spurs cause severe symptoms that interfere with mobility. Depending on a patient’s specific needs, a surgeon can remove or reduce a problematic bone spur, repair a damaged tendon or remove a bone or cartilage fragment from a hip joint.

At Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston, TX, we take a conservative approach to bone spur treatment, which means we generally recommend exploring all appropriate nonsurgical treatment options before considering surgery. However, we may discuss surgery sooner to address a severely damaged or degenerated hip joint.

If you’d like to learn more about hip bone spurs, contact Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine to schedule an appointment with a joint specialist. We welcome patients from the Houston, Texas, area to visit any of our three convenient locations.