Osteophytes are bony lumps (bone spurs) that grow on the bones of the spine or around the joints.
They often form next to joints affected by osteoarthritis (a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff).
Osteophytes can grow from any bone, but they’re most often found in the:
neck
shoulder
knee
lower back
fingers or big toe
foot or heel
Osteophytes don’t always cause symptoms. They can cause problems if they:
rub against other bone or tissue
restrict movement
squeeze nearby nerves
For example, osteophytes that occur in the:
spine can cause pain and stiffness in the back
neck can pinch a nearby nerve and cause pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the arms
shoulder can limit the space available for tendons and ligaments, and may be linked to tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear
hip and knee can reduce the range of movement and are often associated with painful arthritis
knee may cause pain when you bend and extend your leg
fingers can cause lumps