Osteochondrosis - refers to diseases based on degenerative-dystrophic processes affecting 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, made up of 12 vertebrae, is connected to the ribs, which border the sternum with their anterior 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.
The intervertebral discs are cartilaginous layers between the vertebrae, which consist of a central part: a gelatinous nucleus pulposus and a fibrous capsule of the ring.
The 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, the blood supply worsens, the transport of water, glucose and amino acids to the nucleus pulposus, which is necessary to synthesize water-binding carbohydrates, is disrupted. The core dries up, the gelatinous structure turns into fibrous, as a result its ability to dampen 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 - protrusion of the disc. When the fibrous ring breaks, an intervertebral hernia is formed.
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 slowing down of the regeneration processes of cartilage and bone tissue, a decrease in the production of collagen, thanks to which the elasticity and strength of the ligament apparatus of the spine is maintained.
At a young age, the rapid progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs against the background of pathologies that adversely affect the condition of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine.
- Systemic diseases of the connective tissue: rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma.
- Endocrine disorders: diabetes, hypothyroidism.
- Congenital and acquired posture anomalies: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Long-term exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary predisposition to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury of the thoracic spine.
A sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, obesity, the deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body can cause premature destruction of the 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 chest osteochondrosis:
me on stage. The disc 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 disc continues, the fibers of the fibrous ring stratify, 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 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, outgrowths 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 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 that lead the patient to disability.
If the problematic disc is covered with fibrous tissue and the 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, 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, 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 consultation and diagnostics from a doctor
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
Upon consultation with a doctor, a thorough diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is performed. Doctors identify which nerve segments and roots are involved and cause pain symptoms. Based on the results of the consultation, detailed recommendations for treatment are prescribed and, if necessary, further diagnostics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis signs and symptoms
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 innervating organs are disturbed. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, heart is upset.
Chest pain 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 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, severe neurological pathology with motor and sensory disorders develops. Specifically, the localization of the disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae in the vicinity of which the nerve root suffered.
The zone of pain and sensitivity changes in the form of numbness extends from the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, sternum to abdomen.
Principles of diagnosis of diseases
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following steps:
- Collection of anamnesis.
- Clinical examination with evaluation of the 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 "masked" by 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 treatment tactic is chosen.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic
The goals of drug therapy for osteochondrosis:
- Block pain syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalize metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relieves 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 electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Soft manual techniques that act on a 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 enters directly into 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 block 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.
Shockwave 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 the enhancement of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises, by strengthening the back muscles, contribute to the formation of a natural and 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 shows that the symptoms that complicate the patient's life, with the right and comprehensive approach to therapy, disappear, preventing further progression of the pathological process.