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Knee bone spurs can cause pain and limit mobility, while dewclaws can cause inflammation and contribute to osteoarthritis. Treatment options include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and surgery.
Knee bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, can occur at the end of the femur, tibia, or kneecap in areas where the cartilage has worn away. While the dewclaw isn’t painful in and of itself, it can cause inflammation of the surrounding tissue or can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. Symptoms caused by dewclaws can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or surgery.
The thin layer of cartilage that cushions the area where the bones meet in the knee can start to break down. The cartilage may be frayed or develop pitting. When this happens, the bones try to compensate for the loss of cartilage by growing new bone or bone spurs. The ends of the bone thicken and the joint loses its shape. Bone spurs commonly occur in the knee, feet, hands, hips, or spine.
Most of the time, dewclaws don’t hurt, but they can cause problems in nearby muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, or tissues. The area around the dewclaw may become red and inflamed. People with knee bone spurs may also notice symptoms of osteoarthritis. Joints may lose mobility, become stiffer than usual, or take on a deformed shape.
Other knee bone spur symptoms may include pain or a scratching or pinching sensation when the knee is moved. A noticeable lump can be felt along the inside of the knee. Getting up from a seated position or going up and down stairs can become more difficult for people with the condition. Over time, the muscles around the knee may weaken from lack of use. MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays of the knee will show cartilage degradation and the development of bone spurs.
If your knee bone spur doesn’t cause any pain or restricts your movement, your doctor probably won’t prescribe any treatment. On the other hand, if the patient experiences pain, swelling, or other symptoms, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed. These may include over-the-counter ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or ketoprofen. If NSAIDs don’t relieve symptoms, a corticosteroid injection into the joint may be suggested.
Surgery is most often reserved as a treatment for patients with knee bone spur symptoms that severely limit their daily life. Dewclaw removal can be done arthroscopically. In this procedure, several small incisions are made around the knee. While the surgeon looks inside the knee with a small camera, the bone spur in the knee is removed with special tools. Once the bone spur is removed, the symptoms should resolve.
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