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Osteophyte formation has been classically related to any sequential and consequential changes in bone formation due to aging, degeneration, mechanical instability, and disease. Often osteophytes form in osteoarthritic joints due to damage and wear from inflammation. Calcification and new bone formation can also occur in response to mechanical damage in joints, or at the attachment points for ligaments and tendons. (wikipedia) in other word they are growth of bone that occur as a result of injury am underlying disease and often accompanies aging. These growth can interfere with the movement of joints or cause pressure to be put on nerves as happens with the back bone,

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15y ago

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When the bone in a joint wears through the cartilage and start to touch the opposing bone the it begins to wear. when that happens the body tries to heal it by growing more bone. as it does so a ridge of bone develops around the wear spot making things even worse especially in joints that have a lot of work to do and in joints where nerves pass between.

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14y ago
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Q: What is osteophyte formation?
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