Report from rheumatologist, bone spurs on spine
 

At my constant urging my wife finally got a referral to a rheumatologist... this is the report:

"Xrays from rheumatology dr came back - bone spurs starting in several places (T12-L1, L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1), and a mild compression at L1"

When I last asked about her back problems it was recommended that to attempt surgery is a last ditch effort.

I'm no doctor but I don't think bone spurs heal themselves? :(

Anyone here been through this? Thoughts/advice?

How old are you?
I see bone spurs on essentially everyone over the age of 50. No they do not go away.
Most do not cause any symptoms. It depends on the type and location of the spur. Do they push on nerve roots- symptoms. Do they extend anterior to the vertebral body- often cause no symptoms.
So, basically you do not have enough information to know.
The partial compression of L1 can be concerning. Is it acute? That could hurt like heck.
Do you have a trauma history? Do you have osteoporosis?
Lots of questions, without a lot of answers.
Depending on symptoms an MRI might tell a lot more.
I agree, for many patients back surgery is not the first step. However if you have specific symptoms surgery may be the first and only useful step.
Trust your doctors, or find new ones you do trust.
I did stay at a holiday inn express last night
Gary

My wife had bone spurs in her neck. Caused numbness and weakness in her right arm. The surgeon removed them and fused the area with a metal plate by going through the FRONT!

Left a cool scar on her throat. She disagrees.

I am asking about my wife.
Has a lot of pain at night and particularly in the morning.
Also standing still on hard surface for more 15-20 minutes hurt.
She has curvature of the spine (forget the fancy word for that) but it is not visibly noticeable (to me... and I keep a pretty close eye on her ;) )
She is in her mid 50's.
Had her first visit and X-ray with the rheumatologist last Wednesday and this is the report we got today.
Just kills me to see her in pain every morning.
Thanks Gary,
Scott

Just had this surgery 4 days ago. Bad back for 30 years from an injury. This year developed severe sciatica & intensified back pain. Got an MRI. Showed bone spurs, cysts & reduced nerve anal. Got 2 epideural injections to avoid surgery. Didn't last. Went to a spinal neurosurgeon & had an L2, L3 & L4 laminectomy. They cut you open, chisel away the spurs, laser the cysts & roto root the nerve canal. Spent 1 night in the Hospital. Felt 90% better the next day. Still sore from the incision & weakness in the knees, but that goes away with walking. It's a really safe & accepted surgical technique. I put it off too long.

Sorry, misread about your wife.
Again, spurs by themselves may or may not mean anything- depends on where they are and anatomically what they are doing. They do represent ageing and degenerative changes- and are often indicative of other processes.
The mild compression of L1 is another issue. Again, need to know if acute or chronic and if it is doing anything to nerve roots. These can cause severe pain if acute, and can often be successfully treated easily.
Patients with spinal curvature, most commonly scoliosis, do have increased incidence of developing degenerative changes.
If pain is changing lifestyle it is certainly worth looking into treatment. Physical therapy, injections, blocks, surgeries are all possible treatments.
You really do not know enough yet about the anatomy to really tell what is going on.
MRI is often helpful.
Good luck
Gary

Thanks Gary!
Wife has scheduled a appointment for February.