Osteophytes (Greek ὀστέον bone and φυτόν growth) are bone protrusions, which often develop at osteoarthritis at the edges of joint surfaces.
It is an inadequate repair reaction of the body to counteract the effects of osteoarthritis. Osteophytes have an adverse effect that the mobility of the joint can be restricted. In the case of osteophytes at the joints between the vertebrae, nerve bundles may cling and cause pain, emotional disturbances or loss of power. Osteophytes on the distal finger joints are called Heberden nodules, the proximal finger joints are called these nodules from Bouchard.
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