Osteochondrosis is the most common of all spinal diseases. Since osteochondrosis is directly a dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs located between the vertebrae, this leads to an irreversible change in their structure and the shape of the intervertebral discs themselves, which make up the thoracic spine.
As a person ages, these spinal changes develop more and more, and by the age of around 40-45 years, almost everyone suffers from osteochondrosis of the spine. In 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 zones. In addition, the back area in the chest area has a further developed muscle corset, which supports the spine in the chest area much better than in others.
What is this thoracic osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the breastdirectly represents a layering of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae with a simultaneous decrease in their thickness and, as a result, the subsequent pinching of the nerve endings located in the intercostal zone of the human breast.
However, we reiterate that due to the rather rigid physiological fixation by the ribs in humans, the spine in the chest area is the least prone to osteochondrosis. It is thoracic osteochondrosis that is a rare phenomenon, for example osteochondrosis of the cervical or lumbar spine.
Usually, the pathological process in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine affects the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae of the thoracic spine, which includes twelve thoracic vertebrae. However, most often with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pathological changes occur on the upper thoracic vertebrae. There are several degrees of lesion in thoracic osteochondrosis and we will consider them in more detail below.
Predisposing factors for the development of thoracic osteochondrosis
The exact causes of the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the chest region are not yet fully understood by modern science. Currently, it is common practice in medicine to distinguish the following predisposing factors, or the so-called risk factors, due to which osteochondrosis of the chest area occurs in the spine:
- hereditary predisposition;
- excessive physical activity in this section of the spine;
- Spinal injuries such as falls or bruises in the chest area;
- Changes that occur in the intervertebral discs with age, leading to a decrease in hydration in the tissues of the intervertebral discs;
- Circulatory disorders in the chest area.
Causes contributing to the disease of thoracic osteochondrosis
Mainly, the development of the disease in osteochondrosis is usually caused by hypodynamia, d intervertebral discs and ligaments.
Other reasons for developing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- Hypothermia of the body;
- the presence of chronic stressful situations;
- transmitted infections;
- difficult conditions of physical work;
- occurred hormonal disorders in the body;
- violation of the metabolic process in the body;
- the presence of congenital defects of the spine, namely its thoracic region.
With exposure to a combination of these factors, or sometimes even one, over time, dystrophic-degenerative irreversible processes develop in the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae:
- the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc gradually begins to lose fluid that was secreted by them to provide a lubricating function, which ultimately significantly reduces the cushioning function of this intervertebral disc;
- the fibrous ring of the vertebrae itself becomes more vulnerable due to the increased load, which in turn leads to its gradual destruction.
Symptoms and signs of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine
The clinical symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend solely on the following factors:
- the age of the patient;
- the degree of affection for illness;
- Stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: remission or exacerbation.
The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- Chest pain in the spine called dorsago;
- painful damage to the nerve endings of the spinal cord - radiculopathy;
- abdominal syndrome;
- Heart syndrome or changes in the heart muscle with characteristic pain that persists even under the influence of trinitroglycerin;
- Pulmonary syndrome, in the form of stagnation in the lungs with signs of hypoxia, that is, asphyxiation.
An increase in body temperature in a patient with thoracic osteochondrosis is not observed, which is also a direct differential diagnostic sign. Dorsalgia in the chest area, as one of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis, indicates the appearance of cracks in the annulus fibrosus and deformations of the nucleus pulposus. When palpating, the pain in this area of the chest only intensifies, the symptoms increase.
In addition, the characteristic symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis with compression myelopathy, that is, deformation of the nerve endings, are:
- feeling of "goosebumps" - paresthesia;
- Pain along the compressed nerve - are common symptoms;
- Decrease in temperature and touch sensitivity;
- Disturbances in the motor function of the spine are also characteristic symptoms.
Having noticed such symptoms, you need to see 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.
Degrees of disease with thoracic osteochondrosis
Each degree of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by its own pathology, which has only its own clinical symptoms. Modern medicine distinguishes four degrees of degenerative disc disease of the thoracic region (similar - lumbar and cervical degenerative disc disease) and, accordingly, four periods of its development. Let's take a closer look at them.
First degree,for which it is characteristic that cracks appear within the fiber ring, into which the nucleus pulposus subsequently penetrates. This stage 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 localization of the lesion;
- these pains can either be permanent or be expressed by lumbago;
- there may be a spasmodic contraction of the muscles in the chest area, accompanied by pain in the heart area.
Second degreeThe development of thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by the pathological appearance of increased intervertebral mobility with the following clinical manifestations:
- Subluxations occur in the thoracic spine;
- pain increases during movement;
- Complaints occur when the patient is held for a long time.
Third degreecharacterized by rupture of the annulus fibrosus and exit of the nucleus pulposus beyond its borders. At this stage of the disease with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, intervertebral hernias appear, the clinical symptoms of which are rather severe. Namely - neurovascular, muscle strengthening and reflex dystrophic.
In addition, a change in the following conditions of the spine is characteristic of the third degree of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- weak fixation of the position of the spine;
- Restriction of the mobility of the spinal region, manifested in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis.
Fourth degree- the dystrophic-degenerative process already affects all structures that are surrounded by the spine. This pathological process affects the yellow, interspinous and other ligaments, and fibrosis occurs in the structures surrounding the spine. In this phase of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis, the so-called remission state is clinically observed.
Complications
With the further progression of the disease with thoracic osteochondrosis, the development of accompanying 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 growth - osteophytes;
- a significant decrease in the spinal canal.
It should be noted that the severity of complications that arise in thoracic osteochondrosis depends entirely on the rate of progression of the disease process that has occurred and, of course, on the effectiveness of the methods of treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Diagnostics and its methods
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 very revealing. The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis identified in this study are as follows:
- the contours of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae are broken;
- the edges of the skin plates took on a wavy character;
- the intervertebral discs have changed shape;
- Osteophytes appeared - bony pathological growths in the spine;
- the hook-shaped appendages of the vertebrae have increased and sharpened;
- the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae have changed their normal shape;
- the height of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae has decreased significantly;
- Herniated discs formed between the vertebrae.
In some cases, a method of diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine using an X-ray contrast examination is practiced, which will detect the following signs of the disease:
- with advanced pathology, the contrast agent completely fills the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae;
- with the help of a contrast agent, the contours of the nucleus pulposus are visible, which are uneven;
- If the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the contrast medium penetrates largely beyond its limits and into the spinal canal.
Only the correct diagnosis can determine the correct treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, taking into account the results of the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis, is possible in one of the following ways, namely:
- conservative-traditional treatment of the spine;
- Treatment of chest osteochondrosis with traction;
- operative surgical intervention.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest, called conservative, is complex for the treatment of any type of osteochondrosis: drugs, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are aimed at relieving pain in the spine, which is known for thoracic osteochondrosis. It should be noted that these drugs very well get rid of inflammatory processes, as well as the resulting swelling, and help reduce compression of the nerve roots. In more complex cases of thoracic osteochondrosis, the attending physician may prescribe a number of additional medications, such as some strong pain relievers and muscle relaxants that block the onset of muscle spasms.
When the pain subsides or has stopped, that is, during remission, physiotherapy treatment, as well as additional exercise therapy and massage, is prescribed. These are all important parts of a comprehensive treatment. One of the most important physiotherapeutic tools for the treatment and prevention of the disease is pulsed magnetic therapy with special medical devices for clinical and domestic use.
In the case of exacerbations, only magnetic field therapy with special parameters is allowed; there are medical devices for acute and chronic pain. This system is also suitable for treating the lumbar and cervical spine.
In addition, traction treatment, i. e. the treatment of breast osteochondrosis by means of special traction, can be used successfully for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. This method stretches the paravertebral muscles, tissues, and ligaments, increasing the intervertebral space. Just one and a half millimeters are enough to reduce swelling, eliminate compression and relieve tension in the muscles adjacent to the spine. In any case, the main principle of conservative treatment is its complexity. The treatment must be carried out over a long period of time and regularly, this is the only way to hope for results.
However, surgery as a type of treatment for osteochondrosis is only advisable if the above methods of treating osteochondrosis of the breast do not give the desired result.