Can My Occipital Spur Be Removed?

Q: Dr. Eppley,  have a bone spur,or piece of bone sticking out the back of my head it causes headaches , it hurt, and it stings been dealing with this most my life , and I never new there’s a alternative for this.

A: The spur on the back of the head to which you refer is known as an occipital knob and can have a sharp edge to it. While usually asymptomatic it can occasionally be a source of chronic discomfort. It can be removed in a straightforward surgical procedure done as an outpatient.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon