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 features of the anatomical structure of the upper part of the skeleton. The thoracic spine, consisting of 12 vertebrae, connects with the ribs, which are adjacent to the sternum, with their anterior ends. Hard and durable 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 premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Intervertebral discs are cartilaginous layers between the vertebrae, consisting of a central part - a gel-like nucleus pulposus and a fibrous annulus-capsule.
Intervertebral discs ensure stability of the spine against vertical loads, act as shock absorbers when walking, running, and jumping, and together with other joints of the vertebrae, 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 is necessary for synthesizing water-binding carbohydrates, is disturbed. It dries out, the gel-like structure becomes fibrous, as a result of which it loses its ability to spring and absorb shocks. The load falls on the injured fibrous ring and vertebra. Microcracks form in the fibrous annulus, its fibers are stretched and can no longer support the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude into the spinal canal - the disc protrusion. An intervertebral disc herniation occurs when the annulus fibrosus is torn.
Causes of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops in people over 40-45 years old due to the natural aging of the body. This is manifested by the slowing down of cartilage and bone tissue regeneration processes, a decrease in the production of collagen, thanks to which the flexibility and strength of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine is preserved.
At a younger age, the rapid development 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 tendency to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury of the thoracic spine.
Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body can cause premature destruction of discs.
Pathological degrees
The more the discs and vertebrae are deformed, the more obvious the clinical manifestations.
Stages of destruction of intervertebral discs in thoracic osteochondrosis:
I scene. Due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the moisture needed to regenerate its tissues, the disc begins to gradually collapse. The fibrous ring is covered with cracks. The patient experiences periodic discomfort in the chest after physical exertion.
II stage. The destruction of the disc continues, the fibers of the fibrous ring are stratified, the nucleus pulposus moves through a deep crack formed on the surface of the disc. The height of the disk decreases, the mobility of the vertebra increases. The back muscles in the region of the injured segment tense reflexively, 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 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 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 different 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, which leads the patient to disability.
If the problem disc is covered with fibrous tissue and the adjacent vertebrae are fused, it can move the disease to a stable remission stage, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spinal column, it becomes inactive in this area. affected segment.
IV stage. 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. 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 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 medical consultation and diagnosis
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
In consultation with the doctor, a comprehensive diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is carried out. Doctors determine exactly which segments 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
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often mistaken for the clinical picture of other diseases. This is due to the fact that when the spinal roots are compressed, the functions of the organs innervated by them are disturbed. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and heart is disturbed.
The pain in the chest is not clearly localized, it can be given to the arms, ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade, abdomen. According to the nature of pain in osteochondrosis, they resemble attacks of angina pectoris, 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 long-term compression of the spinal roots, severe neurological pathology develops with motor and sensory disorders. In particular, the localization of disorders depends on which thoracic vertebra the nerve root suffers from.
Sensitivity changes in the form of pain and numbness extend to the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, sternum, and abdomen.
Principles of disease diagnosis
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 stage of examination is differential diagnosis. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often "hidden" as diseases of the heart, stomach, and lungs, so additional research methods are prescribed for the correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Most patients with symptoms 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 severely compressed.
In modern clinics, non-surgical author's methods are used for the treatment of osteochondrosis, which allows not only to relieve pain in the acute period, but also to stabilize the condition of the spine and prevent the development of complications. A treatment tactic is selected for each patient depending on the severity of the pathology.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in modern clinic
The goals of drug treatment for osteochondrosis:
- Block pain syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalize metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Eliminate muscle spasm.
Drugs used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have improved the classic methods of manual therapy by adding electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy to increase the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Gentle hand techniques that act on a physiological level and allow you to successfully remove pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multicomponent electrophoresis is a medical procedure in which the medicinal substance enters the damaged area directly.
- Laser therapy. Under the influence of laser radiation, the drug applied to the skin in the region of the affected segment of the spine penetrates to a depth of 10-15 cm and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level.
Paravertebral blockade is a method of injecting anesthetic into the area of damaged nerve roots, which helps to quickly relieve pain, reduce swelling, inflammation and improve blood supply.
Shock wave therapy, in which acoustic vibrations at a certain frequency cause an effect similar to power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure is in the analgesic effect and strengthening of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the back muscles help to form a naturally strong corset that will keep the spine in the correct anatomical position.
Many years of experience in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest in a professional clinic show that with a correct and comprehensive approach to therapy, the symptoms that complicate the patient's life disappear, and this prevents the further progression of the pathological process.