How Do You Treat Ankle-Bone Spurs?
Treatment methods for bone spurs on the ankle include cold pack application to the area and anti-inflammatory medications, such as Depomedrol, Celestone or Kenalog, according to MedicineNet. If the bone spur irritates the tendons, nerves or ligaments or does not respond to conservative measures, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Although many bone spurs are asymptomatic, those irritating surrounding tissue may cause pain, tenderness, weakness, numbness and swelling, as stated by MedicineNet. Common causes include tendon or cartilage injuries and local inflammation such as that caused by tendinitis and osteoarthritis. Bone spurs on the heel are often caused by plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the bottom of the foot. A physician diagnoses a bone spur through radiologic tests, such as ultrasound imaging, MRI scans, CT scans, myelograms and X-ray imaging. He may also perform a physical exam to feel for the bone spur, as affirmed by Mayo Clinic.
Bone spurs occasionally break off from the regular bone, becoming what are known as loose bodies, as stated by Mayo Clinic. These bodies may become embedded in the joint lining or float freely in the joint. When loose bodies drift between two bones that make up a joint, they may cause intermittent locking, impairing joint mobility.
