Osteochondrosis - refers to diseases 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 adjoin the sternum with their front ends. Rigid and durable frame - the chest protects vital organs (heart, lungs) from injury.
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 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 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, blood supply worsens, 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, its ability to spring and dampen shocks is lost. The load falls on the fibrous ring and vertebrae, which are injured. Microcracks appear on the fibrous ring, its fibers are stretched and can no longer hold the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude towards the spinal canal - disc protrusion. When the fibrous ring 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 the production of collagen, due to which the elasticity and strength of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine is 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.
- Long-term 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 provoke premature destruction of discs.
Degrees of pathology
The more deformed the discs and vertebrae, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations become.
Stages of destruction of intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis of the chest:
I stage. The disk begins to gradually collapse due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the moisture necessary to restore its tissues. The fibrous ring is covered with cracks. The patient experiences periodic discomfort in the chest after physical exertion.
II stage. The destruction of the disk continues, the fibers of the fibrous ring are stratified, the nucleus pulposus moves into the formed deep crack on the surface of the disk. 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 reflexively, trying to limit the mobility of the thoracic region. 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 a compression of the structures of the spinal cord: nerve fibers, blood vessels. The vertebral bodies are also deformed, there are growths of bone tissue in the form of osteophytes. The pain becomes constant, the range of motion in the thoracic spine decreases.
IV stage. At the final stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, signs of a degenerative process are observed on 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 hernia.
If compression of the spinal cord occurs, radicular syndrome, myelopathy and other irreversible consequences develop, which lead the patient to disability.
If the problem disc is covered with fibrous tissue, and adjacent vertebrae fuse, this can transfer the disease into 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 affected segment.
IV stage. 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. The joints grow together, become immobile (ankylosis). The patient's condition is severe: 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 treatment is 90% dependent on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.
Free consultation and diagnostics of a doctor
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
At a consultation with a doctor, a thorough diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is carried out. Doctors pinpoint which segments and nerve roots are involved and cause symptoms of pain. 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 that they innervate are disturbed. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, heart is upset.
Pain in the chest is not clearly localized, 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 lack of air, which many regard as 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 disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae near which the nerve root has suffered.
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
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 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 correct diagnosis.
Treatment
The bulk of patients with signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine need conservative treatment. Surgical treatment is carried out 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 author's 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, treatment tactics are selected.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic
The goals of drug therapy for osteochondrosis:
- Block pain.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalize metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relieve muscle spasm.
Medications 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.
Therapy includes:
- Soft manual techniques that act at the physiological level and allow you to successfully eliminate pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multicomponent electrophoresis is a medical procedure by which the medicinal substance directly enters the lesion.
- 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 administering an anesthetic to 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 a power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure lies in the analgesic effect and in the enhancement of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises, strengthening the muscles of the back, contributes to the formation of a natural strong corset that will maintain 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.