Most often, they form after an injury to a joint or tendon. When your body thinks your bone is damaged, it tries to fix it by adding bone to the injured area, creating bone spurs.
Often arthritis causes the damage that makes a bone spur. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout can, too. Other causes include:
- Injuries
- Overuse
- Genes
- Diet
- Obesity
- Bone problems that you were born with
- Narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis)