Thoracic osteochondrosis refers to the pathology of degenerative dystrophy. Spinal problems occupy the fifth place among all diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They are more common in people over 45 years of age. Timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment can slow the progression of the disease.
Development mechanism
The pathology of degenerative dystrophy, including osteochondrosis, is characterized by the existence of several major links in the pathological process, including:
- Cartilage dystrophy (dystrophy) that occurs under the background of excessive load or exposure to other predisposing factors is called malnutrition.
- The gradual destruction of cartilage tissue cells and intercellular substance due to malnutrition.
- The severity of the development of inflammatory response depends on the degree of damage to the cartilage tissue structure.
- Violation of the functional state of joints or the structure of the spine (intervertebral disc), which contains cartilage tissue.
Osteochondrosis involves the failure of the intervertebral disc and various parts of the spondylostatic joints. The intervertebral discs between the vertebrae flatten, causing compression of the motor and sensory nerve fibers in the root of the spinal cord. The mechanism of disease development is always accompanied by an increase in neurological symptoms.
Cause
Thoracic spine osteochondrosis is a multi-cause disease. This means that due to the influence of a large number of predisposing factors, the malnutrition and degeneration process of cartilage tissue is triggered:
- The genetic predisposition determines the nutritional characteristics of cartilage tissue, which is subsequently disturbed under the background of normal load. In this case, osteochondrosis can develop in young people.
- Congenital malformations and abnormal structural development of the musculoskeletal system lead to changes in tissue blood flow and deterioration of cartilage nutrition.
- Delayed damage to various parts of the spine (fractures, bruises, dislocations, and subluxations of the joints) leads to changes in the proportions of various structures, and then a process of degenerative dystrophy develops in it.
- Insufficient physical activity (sedentary lifestyle) leads to tissue congestion.
- Systemically increase the load on the thoracic spine (heavy physical work, long-term static load).
- The metabolism of mineral salts in the body is interrupted, resulting in a decrease in the intensity of malnutrition of bone processes, intervertebral discs and subsequent cartilage structures.
- Deterioration of the blood supply to the spinal tissues that occurs in the context of compression of the main arteries or veins.
- Bad habits-Nicotine and alcohol are vascular toxins that can cause deterioration of blood flow in tissues and destroy their nutrients.
Finding out the reasons for the development of the pathological process is an important part of the diagnostic process. This is necessary for the subsequent designation of effective treatments and prevention of the redevelopment of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
The development of the degenerative dystrophy process is accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms of osteochondrosis and subsequent increase in intensity:
- Spine pain at chest level-At first, pain occurs after fatigue, and the body stays in one position for a long time. Then, the uncomfortable feeling will intensify and become permanent. The pathological process is usually accompanied by dull back pain between the shoulder blades.
- The unpleasant sensation of "squeezing" on the back does not allow you to inhale completely.
- The sensitive nerve fibers at the root of the spinal cord are compressed, causing numbness in various parts of the body (changes in the skin of the upper or lower extremities on one side of the body), which violates skin sensitivity.
- Muscle weakness in the arms or legs usually occurs on one side of the body.
- Violation of the functional state of the digestive system, accompanied by belching, heartburn, abdominal pain, flatulence (abdominal bloating), and unstable stool.
- Changes in the back and arms, including dry skin and brittle nails (a result of the infringement of autonomic nerve fibers when squeezing the spinal cord).
- Changes in the functional status of pelvic organs are manifested as poor urination, constipation, male impotence, and female menstrual cycle instability.
The appearance appears gradually, and one cannot accurately indicate the time of its development. Over time, the intensity of symptoms has increased, and new signs of pathological processes have increased. According to the nature and duration of the back discomfort, there are two types of pain in thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Dorsago-Pain is manifested in the form of epilepsy, restricts back movement and interferes with full breathing.
- Back pain is a constant pain that is located in the area of the vertebrae affected by the pathological process.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the cause of persistent discomfort and reduced quality of human life. According to the degree of change, the development of pathology is divided into four stages:
- The first stage-the change is small, the joint range of motion between the vertebrae increases, there are no symptoms.
- Stage 2-Herniated (flattened) intervertebral disc, slight pain, mainly after exertion.
- Stage 3-The formation of a herniated disc, the root of the spinal cord is violated, there is persistent pain, and neurological symptoms appear.
- Stage 4-Significant changes lead to severe persistent pain, numbness of the skin in various parts of the body, and loss of muscle strength, mainly in the upper limbs.
Determine the stage of the pathological process according to the clinical manifestations of the disease. To clarify the nature and severity of the changes, imaging techniques using the spine provide for additional objective diagnosis.
diagnosis
Based on the clinical pictures, the doctor made a preliminary conclusion. In order to determine the location and nature of the changes, as well as the stage of the pathological process, additional examinations of the thoracic spine are required:
- Spine X-rays are the most commonly used instrumental diagnostic method, allowing you to identify obvious changes in the structure of the spine.
- Computed tomography is an X-ray technique that scans tissue layer by layer. It has a high separation ability and can see the smallest changes in the thoracic spine.
- Magnetic resonance imaging-For visualization, the resonance phenomenon of compound nuclei occurring in a magnetic field is used. The technology involves scanning the body without the body being exposed to radiation.
In order to determine the functional status of various organs and systems, laboratory tests (clinical, biochemical blood tests, urine tests) are prescribed. After the diagnosis, the doctor has the opportunity to choose the best treatment plan.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is always complicated. It aims to restore the nutrition of cartilage components, normalize its characteristics, and the functional state of vertebrae and spinal cord roots. To this end, two main areas of treatment measures are used:
- Conservative treatment.
- Surgical invasive intervention.
Usually, the two directions of treatment are combined.
Conservative treatment
The basis of conservative treatment is the use of several groups of drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-reduce the severity of inflammation and pain.
- Adrenal hormones-reduce inflammation and nerve pain.
- Muscle relaxants-drugs can reduce the tension of the striated muscles of the spine, thereby reducing compression on the roots of the spinal cord.
- Diuretics-means to reduce the swelling and compression of the tissues at the root of the spinal cord due to increased urine excretion.
- Cartilage protective agent-reduce the severity of the degenerative process, the destruction of cartilage tissue, and help its partial recovery.
- B vitamins-improve the metabolic process of nerve tissue and help the early recovery of the functional state of the spinal cord roots.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)-Strengthens blood vessels and has an antioxidant effect (binding and inactivating free radicals, which are "fragments" of organic molecules with unpaired electrons that can damage the membrane structure of cells).
During the remission period (to improve the condition and reduce acute inflammation), exercise therapy (physical therapy exercises with special exercises), back massage, and physical therapy procedures (magnetic therapy, mud bath, electrophoresis) are prescribed. During the implementation of treatment measures, it is important to meet diet (refusal of fried food, alcohol) and general (adequate sleep, reasonable work and rest) recommendations. Conservative treatment can significantly improve the condition.
Surgical intervention
In the case where there is no necessary treatment result in the context of the use of drugs, in the case where the pathological process progresses, in order to fundamentally eliminate the problem, invasive surgical intervention is prescribed. It includes several technologies:
- Microdiscectomy-the herniated disc is removed, followed by the hernioplasty.
- Foraminal resection-removal of bone growth that narrows the exit area of the root of the spinal cord.
- Laminectomy is a tube that enlarges the exit area of the spinal root.
In modern hospitals, surgery is performed using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. For the plastic opening of the hernia hole, a special mesh made of durable material that does not cause inflammation is usually used.
prevention
In order to prevent the development of the pathological process, you need to follow a few simple prevention suggestions, including:
- Adequate eight hours of sleep.
- Limit the influence of stress factors (chronic stress can trigger the development of pathological processes).
- The work and rest system is normalized.
- Restrict heavy physical labor.
- Reject bad habits.
- Reasonable nutrition, adequate intake of vitamins and plant fiber.
- Sufficient exercise state and dynamic exercise (charged), walking in fresh air.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by a chronic progressive course. The disease requires long-term treatment, so its development is easier and easier to prevent.