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 attach to the sternum with their front ends. Rigid and stable frame - chest protects 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, which consist of a central part - a gel-like nucleus pulposus and a fibrous annulus capsule.
Intervertebral discs ensure stability of the spine against vertical loads, acting as shock absorbers during walking, running, jumping and together with other vertebral joints ensure mobility and flexibility of the spine.
Development of thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, the blood supply deteriorates, the transport of water, glucose and amino acids to the nucleus pulposus, which are necessary for it to synthesize water-binding carbohydrates, is disrupted. The core dries out, the gel-like structure turns into fibrous, as a result, it loses its ability to ignite and dampen shocks. The load falls on the annulus fibrosus and vertebrae, which are damaged. Microcracks appear in the fibrous ring, its fibers stretch and can no longer support the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude towards the spinal canal - the protrusion of the disc. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures, an intervertebral hernia is formed.
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 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 anomalies of posture: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Long-term exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary predisposition to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury of the thoracic spine.
A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food, obesity, lack of vitamins and microelements in the body can provoke the premature destruction of discs.
Degrees of pathology
The more deformed the discs and vertebrae are, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations become.
Stages of destruction of intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis of the chest:
I stage. The disc begins to collapse gradually due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the moisture necessary to restore its tissue. The fibrous ring is covered with cracks. The patient experiences periodic discomfort in the chest after physical exercises.
Phase II. The destruction of the disc continues, the fibers of the fibrous ring are layered, 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 tense up reflexively, trying to limit the mobility of the chest region. The pain is moderate.
Phase III. 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, growth of bone tissue in the form of osteophytes is observed. The pain becomes constant, the range of motion in the thoracic spine decreases.
Phase IV. 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 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, which lead 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 stage of stable remission, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spine, which becomes immobile in the area of the affected segment.
Phase IV. This is the last 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, 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 cerebrovascular accident, sensitivity disorders. This is a life-threatening condition that can result in a stroke.
The success of the treatment depends 90% on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.
Free doctor's consultation and diagnosis
- Beauty Clinics Chiropractors
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopaths
- Neurologist
In consultation with a doctor, a complete diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is made. Doctors determine 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 described.
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.
Pain in the chest is not clearly localized, it can be given to the arms, ribs, clavicle, 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 lack of air, which many consider to be a heart attack.
With significant and prolonged compression of the spinal roots, a severe neurological pathology develops with motor and sensory disorders. Specifically, the localization of the disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae near which the nerve root has suffered.
The area 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:
- Collection of anamnesis.
- Clinical examination with assessment of neurological status.
- functional tests.
- Instrumental methods: X-ray, magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
An important stage of the examination is the differential diagnosis. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often "masked" as diseases of the heart, stomach, lungs, therefore, additional research methods are prescribed for the correct diagnosis.
Treatment
The majority of patients with signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine need 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 treatment tactic is selected.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic
Goals of drug therapy for osteochondrosis:
- Blockage pain syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalization of metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relief of muscle spasm.
Medications used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, 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 increase the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Gentle manual techniques that act on the physiological level and allow you to successfully eliminate pinched nerve roots in the back.
- Multicomponent electrophoresis is a medical procedure by which the medicinal substance enters the lesion directly.
- 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 an energy massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure lies in the analgesic effect and the increase in tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises, by 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 shows that the symptoms that complicate the patient's life, with the right and comprehensive approach to therapy, disappear, which prevents further progression of the pathological process.