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 chest 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. A hard and durable frame - the chest protects vital organs (heart, lungs) from injury.
Such a structure of the skeleton 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 gel-like nucleus pulposus and a fibrous annular capsule.
Intervertebral discs provide stability to the spine during vertical loads, act as shock absorbers when walking, running, jumping and together with other vertebral joints provide mobility and flexibility of the spine.
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, the blood supply 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, 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 annulus fibrosus and vertebrae that are injured. Microcracks appear on the fibrous ring, its fibers stretch and can no longer hold the nucleus pulposus, which begins to protrude towards the spinal canal - disc protrusion. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures, 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 slowing down the processes of regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue, reducing the production of collagen, which is why the elasticity and strength of the ligament 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 adversely 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 postural abnormalities: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Long-term exposure to static and dynamic loads.
- Hereditary predisposition to cartilage weakness.
- Traumatic chest injury.
Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body can provoke premature destruction of 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 osteochondrosis of the chest:
I stage. The disc begins to gradually disintegrate due to the inability of the nucleus pulposus to retain the necessary moisture for tissue repair. 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 delaminated, 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 muscles of the back in the area of the damaged segment tense up 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 volume of movement in the chest decreases.
IV stage. In the final stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, signs of a degenerative process are observed on the ligaments, muscles and other tissues around the affected segment of the spine. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by a scar. Osteoarthritis develops in other spinal joints. The clinical picture is varied and depends on the degree of disc damage and the location of the herniation.
If compression of the spinal cord occurs, radicular syndrome, myelopathy and other irreversible consequences develop, which lead to damage to the patient.
If the problem disc is covered with fibrous tissue and the adjacent vertebrae fuse, this can translate the disease into a phase of stable remission, but with the loss of part of the functions of the spine, 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. Joints become fused, become immobile (ankylosis). The patient's condition is severe: severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the arms, in the 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 90% on the experience and qualification of the doctor.
Free consultation and diagnosis of a doctor
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
In consultation with a doctor, a comprehensive diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is performed. Doctors determine which segments and nerve roots are affected 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 chest are often confused with the clinical picture of other diseases. This is due to the fact that when the spinal roots are pressed, the functions of the organs they innervate are disturbed. The work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, heart is disturbed.
The pain in the chest is not clearly localized, it can be attributed to the arms, ribs, collarbone, scapula, abdomen. By 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 prolonged compression of the spinal roots, severe neurological pathology develops with motor and sensory disorders. More specifically, the localization of the disorders depends on which thoracic vertebrae near which the nerve root is affected.
The area of pain and changes in sensitivity in the form of numbness extends from the neck, shoulder blades, ribs, sternum to the abdomen.
Principles of disease diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following steps:
- History taking.
- Clinical examination with assessment of neurological status.
- functional tests.
- Instrumental methods: X-ray, magnetic resonance and computer tomography.
An important stage of the research is the differential diagnosis. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are often "masked" as diseases of the heart, stomach, lungs, which is why additional research methods are prescribed for a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
The majority of patients with signs of osteochondrosis of the chest 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, proprietary 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 selected.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of the spine in a modern clinic
The goals of drug therapy for osteochondrosis:
- Block the pain syndrome.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Normalization of metabolic processes.
- Improve blood supply.
- Relieve muscle spasm.
Medications used: anesthetics, anti-inflammatory agents, steroid hormones, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
Modern medical centers have perfected 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 work on a physiological level and allow you to successfully eliminate pinched nerve roots in the spine.
- Multicomponent electrophoresis is a medical procedure in which the medicinal substance enters the lesion directly.
- 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 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 introducing an anesthetic into 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 produce an effect similar to a power massage. The therapeutic effect of the procedure consists in the analgesic effect and the improvement of tissue regeneration.
Physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back contribute to the formation of a natural strong corset that will support the spine in the correct anatomical position.
Long-term experience in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest in a professional clinic shows that the symptoms that complicate the patient's life, with the correct and comprehensive approach to therapy, disappear, which prevents further progression of the pathological process.