Osteochondrosis - refers to diseases that are based on degenerative-dystrophic processes that affect the intervertebral discs, as well as other structural elements of the spinal column: 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 at their front end. Rigid and durable frame - the chest protects the vital organs (heart, lungs) from damage.
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 the 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 annulus capsule.
The intervertebral discs ensure the stability of the spine against vertical loads, act as shock absorbers during walking, running, and jumping, and together with other joints of the vertebrae, ensure the mobility and flexibility of the spine.
Development of thoracic osteochondrosis
In the case of osteochondrosis, the blood supply deteriorates, the transport of water, glucose and amino acids to the nucleus pulposus, which are necessary for the synthesis of water-binding carbohydrates, is interrupted. The core dries out, the gel-like structure becomes fibrous, as a result of which its spring and shock-absorbing properties are lost. The load falls on the annulus fibrosus and the vertebrae, which are damaged. Microcracks appear on the fibrous ring, its fibers stretch and can no longer hold the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude towards the spinal canal - disc protrusion. When the annulus fibrosus tears, 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 the slowing down of cartilage and bone tissue regeneration processes and the reduction of collagen production, as a result of which the flexibility and strength of the ligamentous structure of the spine is preserved.
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 posture disorders: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Long-term exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary tendency to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury of the thoracic spine.
A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of vitamins and microelements in the body can cause the premature destruction of cartilage discs.
Degrees of pathology
The more deformed the discs and vertebrae, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations.
Stages of destruction of intervertebral discs in thoracic osteochondrosis:
I put it on stage. The disc gradually collapses because the nucleus pulposus is unable to retain the moisture needed to repair its tissues. The fibrous ring is covered with cracks. The patient experiences periodic discomfort in the chest after physical exertion.
Section II. The destruction of the disc continues, the fibers of the annulus fibrosus are layered, the nucleus pulposus moves into a deep fissure 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 injured segment are reflexively tensed, trying to limit the mobility of the chest region. The pain is moderate.
Section III. If the integrity of the annulus fibrosus is damaged, the nucleus pulposus invades the spinal canal with the formation of an intervertebral hernia. There is compression of the structures of the spinal cord: nerve fibers, blood vessels. The vertebral bodies are also deformed, bone tissue growth can be observed in the form of osteophytes. The pain becomes permanent, the range of motion of the thoracic spine decreases.
Section IV. In the final stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, signs of the degenerative process can be 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 vertebral joints. The clinical picture is varied and depends on the degree of damage to the discs and the location of the herniation.
If the spinal cord is compressed, radicular syndrome, myelopathy and other irreversible consequences develop, leading to the patient's disability.
If the problematic disc is covered with fibrous tissue and the adjacent vertebrae are fused, this can transfer the disease to a phase of stable remission, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spinal column, which becomes immobile in the area of the spinal column. the affected segment.
Section IV. This is the final stage of the disease. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by connective tissue, the adjacent segments of the spine are involved in the pathological process. The joints grow together and become immobile (ankylosis). The patient's condition is serious: severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the arms, chest, and between the shoulder blades, signs of a cerebrovascular accident, sensitivity disorders. This is a life-threatening condition that can cause a stroke.
The success of the treatment depends 90% on the experience and training of the doctor.
Free medical consultation and diagnostics
- Bone smith
- Vertebrologist
- Bone smith
- A neurologist
During the consultation with the doctor, a thorough diagnosis of the entire spine and individual segments is carried out. Doctors determine exactly which segments and nerve roots are affected and which cause pain. Based on the results of the consultation, detailed treatment recommendations are prescribed 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 due to the fact that when the spinal roots are compressed, the functioning of the organs innervated by them is disrupted. The work of the gastrointestinal system, liver, pancreas, and heart is disturbed.
The chest pain is not clearly localized, it can be given to the arms, ribs, clavicle, scapula, abdomen. The nature of pain in osteochondrosis is similar to attacks of angina pectoris, acute pancreatitis or cholecystitis.
Pain between the shoulder blades is often accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath, which many consider a heart attack.
A significant and long-lasting compression of the roots of the spine results in a severe neurological pathology with motor and sensory disorders. More specifically, the localization of abnormalities depends on which thoracic vertebrae the nerve root suffered from.
The zone of pain and sensitivity changes in the form of numbness extends from the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, sternum 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 part of the examination is the differential diagnosis. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often "disguised" as diseases of the heart, stomach, and lungs, therefore, additional research methods are prescribed in order to make a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Most patients with symptoms 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, non-surgical proprietary 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, treatment tactics are chosen depending on the severity of the pathology.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic
The goals of drug treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Block pain syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalization of metabolic processes.
- Improving blood supply.
- Alleviation of muscle spasm.
Medicines used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have improved the classic methods of manual therapy, adding electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Soft manual techniques that act on a physiological level and enable the successful elimination of pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multi-component electrophoresis is a medical procedure in which the medicinal substance is delivered directly to the lesion.
- Laser therapy. As a result of the laser radiation, the medicine applied to the skin penetrates 10-15 cm deep in the area of the affected segment of the spine and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level.
Paravertebral block is a method of injecting 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 produce an effect similar to a power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure lies in the pain-relieving effect and the enhancement of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back contribute to the formation of a natural strong ligament that keeps 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 symptoms complicating the patient's life disappear with a proper and comprehensive approach to therapy, which prevents further progression of the pathological process.