Osteophytes (bone spurs) are bony growths that form on joints when cushioning cartilage in between bones breaks down. Typical causes include aging wear-and-tear, poor posture and physical injury. Bone spurs are actually smooth growths that usually do not cause symptoms, but sometimes large spurs can physically compress nerves and cause symptoms including stiffness, pain, weakness, tingling or numbness. Disc osteophyte complex is a term used on MRI to denote the presence of disc changes (e.g. bulging, protrusion) in conjunction with osteophytes resulting in narrowing of the spinal canal (the space where the spinal cord runs through the spine).