Osteochondrosis: refers to diseases based on degenerative-dystrophic processes that affect the intervertebral discs, as well as other structural elements of the spine: vertebral bodies, intervertebral joints, ligaments, tendons.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare form of pathology. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the upper part of the skeleton. The thoracic spine, consisting of 12 vertebrae, is connected to the ribs, which are attached to the sternum with their front ends. Rigid and Durable Frame - The chest protects vital organs (heart, lungs) from injury.
Such a skeletal structure not only limits the mobility of this segment of the spine, but also protects it from the negative effects of physical activity and intervertebral discs from premature destruction.
Intervertebral discs are cartilaginous layers between the vertebrae, consisting of a central part - a gel-like nucleus pulposus and a fibrous annular capsule.
The intervertebral discs provide stability to the spine against vertical loads, acting as shock absorbers when walking, running, jumping and, together with other joints of the vertebrae, provide mobility and flexibility to the spine.
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis.
With osteochondrosis, the blood supply worsens, the transport of water, glucose and amino acids to the nucleus pulposus, which are necessary for the synthesis of water-binding carbohydrates, is disrupted. The core dries out, the gel-like structure becomes fibrous, as a result, its shock-absorbing ability is lost. The load falls on the fibrous ring and the vertebrae, which are injured. Microcracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, its fibers are stretched and can no longer support the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude into the spinal canal - disc protrusion. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures, an intervertebral hernia forms.
Causes of the disease
In people older than 40-45 years, thoracic osteochondrosis develops due to the natural aging of the body. This is manifested by a slowdown in the processes of regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue, a decrease in collagen production, due to which the elasticity and strength of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine is maintained.
At a younger age, the rapid progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs against the background of pathologies that negatively affect the condition of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine.
- Systemic connective tissue diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma.
- Endocrine pathologies: diabetes, hypothyroidism.
- Congenital and acquired abnormalities of posture: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Prolonged exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary predisposition to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury of the thoracic spine.
A sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, obesity, a deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body can lead to premature destruction of the discs.
Pathology Grades
The more deformed the discs and vertebrae, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations become.
Stages of destruction of intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis of the chest:
I stage. The disc gradually begins to collapse due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the moisture needed to restore its tissues. The annulus fibrosus is covered with cracks. The patient experiences periodic chest discomfort after physical exertion.
II stage. The destruction of the disc continues, the fibers of the annulus fibrosus are stratified, the nucleus pulposus moves into the deep crack formed on the surface of the disc. The height of the disc decreases, the mobility of the vertebrae increases. The muscles of the back in the area of the damaged segment reflexively tighten, trying to limit the mobility of the thoracic region. The pain is moderate.
III stage. If the integrity of the fibrous ring is violated, the nucleus pulposus enters the spinal canal with the formation of an intervertebral hernia. There is a compression of the structures of the spinal cord: nerve fibers, blood vessels. The vertebral bodies are also deformed, growths of bone tissue in the form of osteophytes are observed. The pain becomes constant, the range of motion in the thoracic spine decreases.
IV stage. In the final stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, signs of a degenerative process are observed in the ligaments, muscles and other tissues surrounding the affected segment of the spine. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by scar tissue. Osteoarthritis develops in other spinal joints. The clinical picture is varied and depends on the degree of disc damage and the location of the hernia.
If compression of the spinal cord occurs, radicular syndrome, myelopathy and other irreversible consequences develop, leading the patient to disability.
If the problematic disc is covered with fibrous tissue, and the adjacent vertebrae fuse, this can transfer the disease to a stable remission phase, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spinal column, which becomes immobile in the area of the affected segment.
IV stage. This is the final stage of the disease. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by connective tissue, the adjacent segments of the spinal column are involved in the pathological process. The joints grow together, become immobile (ankylosis). The patient's condition is serious: severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the arms, in the chest, between the shoulder blades, signs of stroke, sensitivity disorders. This is a life-threatening condition that can lead to a stroke.
The success of treatment depends 90% on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.
Free consultation and diagnosis of a doctor.
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
At the consultation with a doctor, a complete diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is made. Doctors identify which nerve segments and roots are involved and are causing pain symptoms. Based on the results of the consultation, detailed recommendations for treatment and, if necessary, additional diagnostics are prescribed.
Signs and symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often confused with the clinical picture of other diseases. This is because when the spinal roots are compressed, the functions of the organs they innervate are impaired. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and heart is disturbed.
Chest pain is not clearly localized, it can occur in the arms, ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade and abdomen. By the nature of pain in osteochondrosis, they resemble attacks of angina pectoris, acute pancreatitis or cholecystitis.
Pain between the shoulder blades is often accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath, which is considered by many to be a heart attack.
With significant and prolonged compression of the spinal roots, a serious neurological pathology develops with motor and sensory disorders. Specifically, the location of the disorders depends on which thoracic vertebra near which the nerve root has suffered.
The zone of pain and changes in sensitivity in the form of numbness extends from the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, sternum to the abdomen.
Principles of disease diagnosis.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following steps:
- Anamnesis collection.
- Clinical examination with assessment of the neurological status.
- functional testing.
- Instrumental methods: X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.
An important stage of the examination is differential diagnosis. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often "disguised" as diseases of the heart, stomach and lungs, therefore additional research methods are prescribed for a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Most patients with signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine require conservative treatment. Surgical treatment is carried out only in especially severe cases, when the spinal canal is significantly narrowed due to hernia, and the spinal cord is subjected to severe compression.
In modern clinics for the treatment of osteochondrosis, non-surgical author methods are used, which allow not only to eliminate pain in the acute period, but also to stabilize the state of the spine, preventing the development of complications. For each patient, depending on the severity of the pathology, a treatment tactic is chosen.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic.
The goals of drug therapy for osteochondrosis:
- Block pain syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalize metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relieve muscle spasms.
Medications used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have improved the classical methods of manual therapy, adding electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy to them to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Gentle manual techniques that act physiologically and successfully remove pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multicomponent electrophoresis is a medical procedure by which the medicinal substance penetrates directly into the lesion.
- Laser therapy. Under the action of laser radiation, the drug applied to the skin in the area of the affected segment of the spine penetrates 10-15 cm deep and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level.
Paravertebral blockade is a method of introducing an anesthetic into the area of damaged nerve roots, which helps to quickly eliminate pain, reduce swelling, inflammation and improve blood supply.
Shock wave therapy, in which acoustic vibrations of a certain frequency cause an effect similar to a power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure lies in the analgesic effect and the enhancement of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises, strengthening the back muscles, contribute to the formation of a strong natural corset that will keep the spine in the correct anatomical position.
Many years of experience in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in a professional clinic show that the symptoms that complicate the patient's life disappear with the correct and comprehensive approach to therapy, preventing further progression of the pathological process.