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. Consisting of 12 vertebrae, the thoracic spine is connected to the ribs, which abut the sternum at their anterior ends. Rigid and Durable Frame - The rib cage 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, consisting of a central part - a gel-like nucleus pulposus and a fibrous annulus capsule.
Intervertebral discs provide stability of the spine under vertical loads, act 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 circulation deteriorates, the transport of water, glucose and amino acids to the nucleus pulposus, which are necessary for the synthesis of water-binding carbohydrates, is disturbed. The core dries out and the gel-like structure becomes fibrous, losing its ability to bounce and absorb shock. 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 - herniated disc. If the fibrous ring ruptures, an intervertebral hernia occurs.
causes of the disease
In people over 40–45 years old, 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 preserved.
At a younger age, the rapid progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs against the background of pathologies that negatively affect the state of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine.
- Systemic connective tissue diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma.
- Endocrine pathologies: diabetes, hypothyroidism.
- Congenital and acquired postural anomalies: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Long-term exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary predisposition to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic injury to the thoracic spine.
A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of vitamins and microelements in the body can provoke premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
degrees of pathology
The more the intervertebral discs and vertebrae are deformed, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations become.
Stages of destruction of intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis of the chest:
I direct. The disc gradually begins to collapse due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the moisture needed to repair its tissues. The fibrous ring is covered with cracks. The patient feels periodic discomfort in the chest after physical exertion.
Stage II. The destruction of the disc continues, the fibers of the fibrous ring are stratified, the nucleus pulposus moves into the deep crack formed on the surface of the disc. The height of the intervertebral disc decreases, the mobility of the vertebrae increases. The muscles of the back in the area of the damaged segment reflexively tighten, trying to limit the mobility of the chest region. Pain is moderate.
III. Stage. If the integrity of the annulus is violated, the nucleus pulposus enters the spinal canal to form an intervertebral hernia. There is a compression of the structures of the spinal cord: nerve fibers, blood vessels. The vertebral bodies are also deformed, bone tissue growths 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 intervertebral disc and the localization of the hernia.
When compression of the spinal cord occurs, radicular syndrome, myelopathy and other irreversible consequences develop, leading to disability in the patient.
If the problem disc is covered with fibrous tissue and adjacent vertebrae fuse, this can propel the disease into a period of stable remission, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spine, which becomes immobile in 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 and 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 lead to a stroke.
The success of the treatment depends to 90% on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.
Free consultation and diagnosis of a doctor
- chiropractor
- vertebrologist
- osteopath
- neurologist
When consulting with a doctor, a thorough diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is carried out. Doctors pinpoint which segments and nerve roots are affected and causing pain symptoms. Based on the results of the consultation, detailed treatment recommendations 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 because when the spinal roots are compressed, the functions of the organs they innervate are disrupted. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and heart is disturbed.
Chest pain is not clearly localized and can appear in the arms, ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade, and abdomen. By the nature of the pain in osteochondrosis, they resemble attacks of angina, 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 disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae 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 the neurological status.
- functional tests.
- Instrumental methods: X-ray, magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
An important stage of the investigation is the differential diagnosis. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often "disguised" as diseases of the heart, stomach and lungs, therefore additional research methods are prescribed for the correct diagnosis.
treatment
The majority of 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 phase, but also to stabilize the condition of the spine and prevent the development of complications. For each patient, a treatment tactic is chosen depending on the severity of the pathology.
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.
- Relieve muscle spasms.
Drugs used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have improved the classic methods of manual therapy, adding electrophoresis and laser photodynamic therapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Therapy includes:
- Gentle manual techniques that work on a physiological level and allow you to successfully eliminate pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multi-component electrophoresis is a medical procedure in which the medicinal substance goes directly into the lesion.
- laser therapy. Under the action of laser radiation, the drug applied to the skin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe 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 and inflammation, and improve blood supply.
Shock wave therapy, in which acoustic vibrations of a specific frequency produce an effect similar to that of a power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure lies in the analgesic effect and in the strengthening of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapeutic exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back contribute to the formation of a natural strong corset 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 shows that with the correct and comprehensive approach to therapy, the symptoms that complicate the patient's life disappear, which prevents further progression of the pathological process.