1. Osteophytes may also be the end result of certain disease processes.2. Commonly, osteophytes and portions of intervertebral disc are removed. 3. This disc degeneration caues osteophytes to grow in the area. 4. Also bony outgrowths, called osteophytes , are formed at the joint margins. 5. This leads to osteophyte formation & mdash; a bony overgrowth about the joint. 6. Enthesiophytes and osteophytes are bone responses for stress. 7. The osteophytes develop bridges of connective tissue which become ossified, forming bone spurs. 8. The pattern of osteophyte formation varies. 9. They are not to be confused with osteophytes , which are abnormal bony projections in joint spaces. 10. Early on there is flattening of articular surfaces, thinning of cartilage with osteophyte ( spur ) formation.
