An osteochondroma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that develops during childhood or adolescence. It is an abnormal growth that forms on the surface of a bone near the growth plate. Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones in children.

What causes extra bone growth?

OA develops as we age or after damage (like a sports injury). As the body tries to repair cartilage, it creates new bone material. These new bony growths are osteophytes. Ankylosing spondylitis also may cause bone spurs.

What causes bone on bone?

“Bone on Bone” is reference to the increased severity of OA (osteoarthritis) in a joint. Osteoartritis is the presence of inflammation of bones in a joint due to a reduction of cartilage. In a healthy joint cartilage aids in the congruency of movement of the joint between the two bones.