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, made up of 12 vertebrae, is connected to the ribs, which join the sternum with their anterior ends. Rigid and durable structure - the chest protects vital organs (heart, lungs) from injury.
This 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 the intervertebral discs from premature destruction.
Intervertebral discs are cartilaginous layers between the vertebrae, which consist of a central part - a gel-like nucleus pulposus and a fibrous capsule-ring.
Intervertebral discs provide stability of the spine to vertical loads, acting as shock absorbers when walking, running, jumping and together with other joints of the vertebrae provide mobility and flexibility of 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 needed to synthesize water-binding carbohydrates, is disrupted. The core dries up, the gel-like structure turns into fibrous, as a result, its ability to spring and cushion shocks is lost. The load falls on the annulus fibrosus and the vertebrae, which are injured. Microfissures appear in the annulus fibrosus, its fibers are stretched and can no longer hold the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude towards the medullary canal - disc protrusion. When the annulus fibrosus breaks, an intervertebral hernia forms.
Causes of disease
In people over 40-45 years old, thoracic osteochondrosis develops due to the natural aging of the body. This is manifested by a slowdown in the regeneration processes of cartilage and bone tissue, a decrease in the production of collagen, due to which the elasticity and strength of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine are 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 anomalies 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, unhealthy diet, obesity, deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body can lead to premature destruction of discs.
degrees of pathology
The more deformed the discs and vertebrae, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations become.
Stages of intervertebral disc destruction in osteochondrosis of the chest:
I stage. The disc begins to gradually 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. Disc destruction continues, the annulus fibrosus fibers are stratified, the nucleus pulposus moves into the deep cleft formed on the surface of the disc. The height of the disc decreases, the mobility of the vertebrae increases. The back muscles in the area of the damaged segment tense reflexively, trying to limit the mobility of the thoracic region. Pain is moderate.
III stage. If the integrity of the annulus fibrosus 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. Vertebral bodies are also deformed, bone tissue growths in the form of osteophytes are observed. The pain becomes constant, the range of motion in the thoracic spine decreases.
Step IV. In the final stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, signs of a degenerative process are seen in the ligaments, muscles and other tissues that surround the affected segment of the spine. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by scar tissue. Osteoarthritis develops in other vertebral joints. The clinical picture is varied and depends on the degree of injury to the discs and the location of the hernia.
If spinal cord compression occurs, radicular syndrome, myelopathy, and other irreversible consequences develop, leading to disability.
If the problematic disc is covered by fibrous tissue and the adjacent vertebrae fuse together, this can transfer the disease into a stable remission phase, but with the loss of part of the spinal function, which is immobile in the area of the affected segment.
Step IV. This is the final stage of the disease. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by connective tissue, adjacent segments of the spine are involved in the pathological process. 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 a stroke, sensitivity disorders. This is a life-threatening condition that can result in a stroke.
The success of the treatment is 90% dependent on the experience and qualifications of the physician.
Free consultation and diagnosis of a doctor
- Chiropractor
- vertebrologist
- osteopath
- Neurologist
In consultation with a doctor, a complete diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is carried out. Doctors identify which segments and nerve roots are involved and are causing pain symptoms. Based on the results of the consultation, detailed recommendations for treatment and, if necessary, additional diagnoses 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 due to the fact that when the spinal roots are compressed, the functions of the organs they innervate are disturbed. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, heart is disturbed.
Chest pain is not clearly localized, it can be given to the arms, ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade, abdomen. By the nature of pain in osteochondrosis, they resemble attacks of angina pectoris, acute pancreatitis, or cholecystitis.
Often, pain between the shoulder blades is accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath, which many consider a heart attack.
With significant and prolonged compression of the spinal roots, severe neurological pathology with motor and sensory disturbances develops. Specifically, the location of the disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae near which the nerve root has suffered.
The zone of pain and tenderness changes in the form of numbness extending from the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, breastbone to the abdomen.
Principles of disease diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following steps:
- Anamnesis collection.
- Clinical examination with assessment of neurological status.
- functional tests.
- Instrumental methods: x-ray, magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
An important step of the examination is the differential diagnosis. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often "disguised" as diseases of the heart, stomach, lungs; therefore, additional research methods are prescribed for the correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Most patients with signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine require conservative treatment. Surgical treatment is performed only in especially severe cases, when the spinal canal is significantly narrowed due to a hernia and the spinal cord is subjected to severe compression.
In modern clinics for the treatment of osteochondrosis, non-surgical methods of the author are used, which allow not only to eliminate pain in the acute period, but also to stabilize the condition 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.
- Normalizes metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relieve muscle spasm.
Medications used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have perfected the classic methods of manual therapy, adding electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Gentle manual techniques that act on the physiological level and allow you to successfully eliminate compressed nerve roots in the spine.
- Multicomponent electrophoresis is a medical procedure by which the medicinal substance enters the lesion directly.
- Lasertherapy. Under the action of laser radiation, the drug applied to the skin in the area of the affected segment of the spine penetrates from 10 to 15 cm in depth and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level.
Paravertebral block 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.
Shockwave therapy, in which acoustic vibrations of a certain frequency cause an effect similar to a strength massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure resides in the analgesic effect and in the potentiation of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises, strengthening the muscles of the back, 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, with the correct and comprehensive approach to therapy, disappear, which prevents the progression of the pathological process.