Osteophytes are cartilage-capped bony proliferations (bony spurs) that most commonly develop at the margins of a synovial joint as a response to articular cartilage damage, as seen very commonly in degenerative joint disease. Introduction An osteophyte is “a fibrocartilage-capped bony outgrowth”. Three types of osteophytes are known, the traction spur at the insertion of tendons and ligaments, the inflammatory spur, represented by the syndesmophyte at the insertion of ligaments and tendons to bone as can be seen in ankylosing spondylitis; and the genuine osteophyte or osteochondrophyte (chondro- osteophyte ) arising in the periosteum overlying the bone at the junction between cartilage and bone1. In this ... Bone spurs , also called osteophytosis, are smooth projections that extend from your bone. They can be treated with physical therapy, pain medications, or surgery. Osteophytes are bony projections that form along joint margins due to aging, degeneration, or disease. They can limit joint movement, cause pain, and impinge on nerves in some cases.
