+- Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums (http://www.workerscompensation.com/forums/general)
+-- Forum: Category (/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Off Topic Area (/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Thread: question about osteophytes (/showthread.php?tid=902)
question about osteophytes - capricorn - 07-21-2007 05:36 AM
Good morning all.....I have never gotten a straight answer to this and was wondering if anyone here has any. I was always told to take calcium especially after meno to prevent osteoporosis. OK I do that. I have osteopena at the L5-S1 area. PCP thinks it could be because I have bulged the disk 3 xs. I have this in spite of my calcium intake. Now I am reading that calcium CAUSES osteophytes (bone spurs). Since I have so many in so many different areas I am so confused. Take it no to get this, but if you take it you could get that?????? I have several large bone spurs on my neck disks and had 10 removed from my shoulder. That seems so excessive to me. I want to prevent them from growing and not aquire anymore. My husband has had 2 knee surgeries and lumbar surgery and has not one. Is it just my body that makes them or the calcium intake causing them. I have looked and looked on the internet for info and can't find an explanation as to what causes these horrible spurs. Anyone?
CAP
RE: question about osteophytes - red1030 - 07-21-2007 09:17 AM
Good morning cap...too much calium would cause bone spur formation, but the major reason that bone spurs are casued is why we take Calcium. Bone spurs are caused then the bones sprink and create an opportunity for the two bones where there in now a space to rub together. When they rub together this is because the space is greater than the ligaments and synopial fluid it to protect them from contstant rubbing. When the space widened the bones form spurs to lesses the space openeness. This can happen in your young years because of loss of catilage in the joints. It can happen in your older years because of daily stress and other things that causes the bones to shrink and the catilage and ligaments to die away. Too much calcium can cause bone spurs faster because calcium encourages bone growth. Too little calcium can cause bone loss, therfore all this depends on what is happening in your body. Has your doctor ever done a Calcium level to know what is free floating in your body. Often people to take alot of tums or pepcid acquire a lot of extra calium. Usually however, if you are taking too much calcium by mouth you would become very constipated. The body wants just the right amount of calcium. Too much is stored in the bones created bone spurs. I hope this make sense toyou.. My brain is no functioning well today.. goodluck to you...Carol
RE: question about osteophytes - capricorn - 07-21-2007 01:37 PM
Carol....Thank you so much. Best explanation I have ever gotten. I am due to have my A1c checked so will talk to my PCP about checking my calcium level. I figure if I have osteopena already AND bone spurs everywhere something isn't right. I was reading a website that of course was promoting their product so I'm not sure whether or not to believe it but they claim certain types of calcium are better for those that have bone spurs. I'm going to throw all of this at my PCP and see what he suggests I do. I don't want anymore of them. They hurt horribly. I have a really huge one on one of my cervical disks that could be a problem a couple of years down the road. If I can stop it from growing I'd like to but don't want to promt the ostepena into osteoporosis. Thanks for your help.
CAP
RE: question about osteophytes - tweety00 - 07-21-2007 05:39 PM
Cap very good question since That is part of my problems too .. never knew I even had any till after the fall ..
So I will be very interested in hearing what dr says on how to fix or cure them naturally ... if possible !