Thoracic osteochondrosis: what is it? Your signs and treatment

A man is concerned about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Osteochondrosis is the most common disease of all diseases of the spine. Since osteochondrosis is directly a dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the discs located between the vertebrae, this leads to an irreversible change in their structure, as well as in the shape of the discs themselves, which form the thoracic spine. .

With an increase in the age of a person, these changes in his spine develop more and more, and around 40-45 years, almost everyone suffers from osteochondrosis of the spine. By itself, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine develops much less often than, for example, the lumbar or cervical spine, since the vertebrae in it are much less mobile than in other vertebral areas. In addition, the back area in the chest area has a more developed muscle corset, which supports the spine in the thoracic region much better than in others.

What is this thoracic osteochondrosis?

Thoracic osteochondrosisIt directly represents a stratification of the discs between the vertebrae with a simultaneous decrease in their thickness and, as a consequence, the subsequent pinching of the nerve endings located in the intercostal zone of the human thorax.

However, we note once again that due to the fact that the physiological fixation of the ribs in humans is quite rigid, the spine in the chest area is less susceptible to osteochondrosis. Thoracic osteochondrosis is a rare phenomenon, for example, cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis.

Usually with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the pathological process involves the discs between the vertebrae of the thoracic spine, which includes twelve thoracic vertebrae. But more often with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pathological changes occur in the upper thoracic vertebrae. There are various degrees of injury with thoracic osteochondrosis, and furthermore we will consider them in more detail.

Predisposing factors for the development of thoracic osteochondrosis

The exact causes of the appearance of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region have not yet been fully established by modern science. At the moment, it is customary in medicine to distinguish the following predisposing factors, or so-called risk factors, due to which osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in the spine occurs:

  • hereditary predisposition;
  • excessive physical activity in this section of the spine;
  • spinal injury, such as falls or bruises in the thoracic region;
  • changes that occur with age in the intervertebral discs and lead to a decrease in hydration in the disc tissues;
  • violations of the blood supply in the chest area.

Causes that contribute to the disease of thoracic osteochondrosis.

In general, the development of the disease with osteochondrosis is usually promoted by hypodynamics, that is, a lack of muscle load, which leads to a weakening of the functions of the muscle corset and, as a result, to increased loads on the discs and intervertebral ligaments.

Additional reasons for the development of thoracic osteochondrosis are:

  • hypothermia of the body;
  • the presence of chronic stressful situations;
  • transferred infections;
  • difficult physical working conditions;
  • hormonal disorders arising in the body;
  • violation of the metabolic process in the body;
  • the presence of congenital defects of the spine, that is, its thoracic region.

In the course of exposure to a combination of these factors, or sometimes even one, irreversible dystrophic-degenerative processes develop in the discs between the vertebrae over time:

  • the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc gradually begins to lose fluid, which was secreted by them to provide a lubricating function, which ultimately significantly reduces the cushioning function of this disc;
  • the fibrous ring of the vertebrae themselves, due to increased load, becomes more vulnerable, which in turn leads to its gradual destruction.

Symptoms and signs of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine.

The clinical symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis completely depend on the following factors:

  • the age of the patient;
  • the degree of involvement of the disease;
  • stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: remission or exacerbation.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are:

  • chest pain in the spine, the so-called dorsago;
  • painful damage to the nerve endings of the spinal cord - radiculopathy;
  • abdominal syndrome;
  • cardiac syndrome or changes in the heart muscle, with characteristic pains that persist even under the influence of trinitroglycerin;
  • pulmonary syndrome, in the form of stagnation in the lungs with signs of hypoxia, that is, suffocation.

An increase in body temperature is not observed in a patient with thoracic osteochondrosis, which is also a sign of direct differential diagnosis. Back pain in the chest area as one of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis indicates the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring and the deformation of the nucleus pulposus. On palpation, the pain in this area of the chest only intensifies, the symptoms increase.

Also, the characteristic symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis with compression myelopathy, that is, deformation of nerve endings, are:

  • feeling of "goose bumps" - paresthesia;
  • pain along the compressed nerve: these are common symptoms;
  • decreased sensitivity to temperature and touch;
  • Disorders of motor function of the spine are also one of the characteristic symptoms.

Having encountered such symptoms, you need to consult a specialist. The appearance of symptoms in the complex and their intensity are especially dangerous. At the same time, it is inappropriate to treat the symptoms without eradicating the causes and factors of the disease.

Grades of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis.

Each degree of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by its own pathology, which has only its own clinical signs. Modern medicine distinguishes four degrees of degenerative disc disease of the thoracic region (similarly, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical) and, accordingly, four periods of its development. Consider them in more detail.

First grade,For this reason, it is characteristic that cracks appear inside the fibrous annulus, into which the nucleus pulposus later penetrates. This period of development of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • the appearance of pain in the spine that does not go beyond the location of the injury;
  • These pains can be permanent or expressed by lumbago;
  • there may be a convulsive contraction of the muscles of the thoracic region, accompanied by pain in the region of the heart.

Second gradethe development of thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by the pathological appearance of increased intervertebral mobility with the following clinical manifestations:

  • subluxations appear in the thoracic spine;
  • pain increases during movement;
  • discomfort appears with prolonged posture.

Third degreecharacterized by the rupture of the fibrous annulus and the exit of the nucleus pulposus beyond its limits. In this period of the disease with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, intervertebral hernias begin to appear, the clinical signs of which are quite severe. Namely: neurovascular, muscular-tonic and reflex-dystrophic.

In addition to the above, for the third degree of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, a change in the following conditions of the spine is characteristic:

  • weak fixation of the position of the spine;
  • limitation of mobility of the spinal region, manifested in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis.

Fourth grade- The dystrophic-degenerative process already affects all the structures that are surrounded by the spine. This pathological process involves the yellow, interspinous and other ligaments, and fibrosis occurs in the structures that surround the spinal column. In this period of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis, the so-called state of remission is clinically observed.

Complications

With further progression of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis, the development of concomitant complications is possible:

  • inflammation of the nerve endings of the spinal cord;
  • the appearance of intervertebral hernias;
  • development of vascular dystonia;
  • the development of Schmorl's hernia;
  • spondyloarthrosis disease;
  • pathological growth of bone growths - osteophytes;
  • a significant decrease in the spinal canal.

It should be noted that the severity of the complications arising in thoracic osteochondrosis depends entirely on the speed of progress of the disease process that has arisen and, of course, on the effectiveness of the methods of treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Diagnosis and its methods.

Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis by X-ray examination

In practice, various methods are used to diagnose thoracic osteochondrosis. Of these, the most common is the X-ray examination, the results of which are quite informative. The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis detected in this study are the following:

  • the contours of the discs between the vertebrae are broken;
  • the edges of the integumentary plates acquired a wavy character;
  • the intervertebral discs have changed shape;
  • osteophytes appeared: pathological bone growths on the spine;
  • the hook-shaped processes of the vertebrae have increased and become more acute;
  • the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae have changed normally;
  • the height of the discs between the vertebrae has decreased significantly;
  • Herniated discs formed between the vertebrae.

In some cases, a diagnostic method of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is practiced by means of an X-ray contrast study, which determines the following signs of this ailment:

  • in the case of advanced pathology, the contrast agent completely fills the disc between the vertebrae;
  • with the help of a contrast agent, the contours of the nucleus pulposus are visible, which are uneven;
  • When the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the contrast medium penetrates far beyond its limits, until it penetrates the spinal canal.

Only the correct diagnosis can determine the correct treatment.

Treatment of osteochondrosis.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible in one of the following ways, which are used taking into account the results of the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis, namely:

  • conservative-traditional treatment of the spine;
  • treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with traction;
  • Operative surgical intervention.

Treatment of chest osteochondrosis, called conservative, is complex for the treatment of any type of osteochondrosis: drugs, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs aim to relieve pain in the spine, which is known for thoracic osteochondrosis. It should be noted that these drugs very well eliminate inflammatory processes, as well as the resulting swelling, helping to reduce compression of the nerve roots. In more complex cases of breast osteochondrosis, the attending physician may prescribe various additional medications, for example, some powerful pain relievers and muscle relaxants that block the occurrence of muscle spasms.

When the pain recedes or it was managed to stop, that is, during remission, physiotherapy treatment is prescribed, as well as, in addition, physiotherapy and massages. All of these are important components of a comprehensive treatment. One of the main physiotherapeutic tools for the treatment and prevention of the disease is pulsed magnetotherapy, which uses special medical devices for clinical and home use.

Only the use of magnetotherapy of special parameters is allowed during exacerbations; medical devices exist to treat acute and chronic pain. This system is also suitable for the treatment of the lumbosacral and cervical spine.

In addition to the above, traction treatment, that is, treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis by special traction, can be used successfully to treat thoracic osteochondrosis. With this method, the paravertebral muscles, tissues, and ligaments are stretched, leading to increased intervertebral distance. Even a millimeter and a half will already be enough to reduce swelling, eliminate compression, as well as relieve tension in the muscles adjacent to the spine. In any case, the fundamental principle of conservative treatment is its complexity. The treatment will have to be carried out for a long time and regularly, this is the only way to expect results.

But surgical intervention as a type of treatment for osteochondrosis is advisable only when the above methods of treating osteochondrosis of the chest do not give the desired result.