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 adjacent to the sternum with their front ends. Rigid and durable frame - chest protects vital organs (heart, lungs) from injury.
Such a skeletal structure not only limits the mobility of this part 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 pulpy nucleus and a fibrous annulus-capsule.
Intervertebral discs provide stability of the spine to vertical loads, acting as shock absorbers during 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 deteriorates, the transport of water, glucose and amino acids to the pulp core, which are necessary for the synthesis of water-binding carbohydrates, is interrupted. The core dries out, the gel-like structure turns into fibrous, as a result of which it loses its ability to bounce and absorb shocks. The load falls on the annulus fibrosus and the vertebrae, which are injured. Microcracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, its fibers are stretched and can no longer hold the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude towards the spinal canal - disc protrusion. When the annulus fibrosus breaks, an intervertebral hernia forms.
Causes of the disease
In people over the age of 40–45, 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 spinal ligament is maintained.
At a younger age, the rapid development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs in the context 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 postural abnormalities: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Long-term exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary predisposition to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury of the thoracic spine.
Sedentary life, unhealthy diet, obesity, deficiency of vitamins and trace elements in the body can cause premature destruction of discs.
Pathology grades
The more deformed the discs and vertebrae are, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations become.
Stages of destruction of the intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis of the chest:
I'm filming. The disc begins to gradually collapse due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the moisture needed to repair its tissues. The fibrous ring 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 fissure 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 part are reflexively stretched, trying to limit the mobility of the thoracic region. The 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 compression of the structures of the spinal cord: nerve fibers, blood vessels. 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 part 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 disc damage and the location of the herniation.
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 phase of stable remission, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spine, which becomes immobile in the region of the affected part.
IV stage. This is the final stage of the disease. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by connective tissue, adjacent parts 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, chest, between the shoulder blades, signs of a cerebrovascular accident, sensitivity disorders. This is a life-threatening condition that can lead to a stroke.
The success of the treatment depends 90% on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.
Free doctor consultation and diagnosis
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
In consultation with a doctor, a thorough diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is carried out. Doctors identify which parts and nerve roots are involved and cause 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
The 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 roots of the spine are compressed, the functions of the innervating organs are disrupted. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, heart is disturbed.
Pain in the chest 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, acute pancreatitis or cholecystitis.
Often, the pain between the shoulder blades is accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, which many consider to be a heart attack.
With significant and prolonged compression of the spinal roots, a serious neurological pathology develops with motor and sensory disturbances. In particular, the localization of the disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae near which the nerve root has been affected.
The zone of pain and sensitivity changes in the form of numbness extending from the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, sternum to the abdomen.
Principles of disease diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following steps:
- Collection of memories.
- Clinical examination with assessment of neurological status.
- functional tests.
- Instrumental methods: radiography, magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
An important stage 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 a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Most patients with signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine require conservative treatment. Surgical treatment is performed only in particularly 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, the author's non-surgical methods 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 therapeutic strategy is selected.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic
The goals of drug therapy for osteochondrosis:
- Pain block syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalization of metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relieve muscle spasm.
Drugs used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have improved the classical methods of manual therapy, adding to them electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Treatment includes:
- Gentle manual techniques that act on a physiological level and allow you to successfully eliminate pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multi-component electrophoresis is a medical procedure by which the medicinal substance enters the lesion directly.
- Laser treatment. Under the action of laser radiation, the drug applied to the skin in the area of the affected part of the spine penetrates to a depth of 10-15 cm and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level.
Paraspinal block is a method of introducing 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 specific frequency cause an effect similar to a power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure lies in the analgesic effect and the strengthening of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises, strengthening the muscles of the back, contribute to the formation of a natural strong 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 treatment, disappear, which prevents the further development of the pathological process.