The spine, which is a significant component of the musculoskeletal system of each person, is constantly exposed to all sorts of destructive factors throughout his life. A fairly common disease, which is detected in about 6% of the population, is thoracic spondylolisthesis. This pathology implies an abnormal displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other, but without loss of contact area. Doctors often call this condition subluxation or incomplete dislocation.
A little information
Pathology, depending on the level of displacement, can occur without any symptoms or with a pronounced clinical picture. It can be found in a person of any age, but most often affects the most active layer: within 20-40 years. Another group more susceptible to this disease is considered to be elderly people. Everything is very simple here: the prevalence of pathology is explained by age-related changes in the structure of the vertebrae, ligaments and cartilage discs.
The consequences of this disease can be quite severe. We are talking about a possible deformation of the spine, narrowing of its channel, compression of the nerve roots passing through the intervertebral foramen.
Varieties
There are several types of thoracic vertebrae displacement.
- A congenital species is a dysplastic pathology related to intrauterine malformations.
- Isthma disease is a defect in the surface of the vertebra between the joints; professional athletes often face this problem.
- The degenerative variety is arthritic changes in the joints. Usually found in elderly people.
- Traumatic spondylolisthesis occurs against the background of ridge injuries, for example, after a fracture of the arch plate, facet joint, vertebral leg. Due to this pathology, the front of the vertebrae shifts slightly forward.
- The pathological type is a deformation of the bone due to the presence of tumors.
It is noteworthy that the displacement of the thoracic vertebrae not only provokes local pain and limited mobility, but also causes systemic diseases of the whole organism.
Degrees
In modern medicine, 4 stages of displacement of the vertebrae of the thoracic spine are described . All of them differ in clinical signs and the degree of abnormal emergence of a segment from the corresponding joint. So, in the first stage of the disease, the vertebra shifts by only a quarter. In this case, the patient may feel discomfort in the area between the shoulder blades and rapidly passing pain in the shoulders.
At the second stage of the pathology, the segments are shifted by half. Symptoms of the disease are supplemented by a feeling of stiffness, weakness and intercostal neuralgia.
The third stage is characterized by a displacement of the vertebrae by 2/3 in relation to closely spaced segments. Clinical signs are accompanied by arbitrary pressure drops, numbness of the hands, pain with deep breaths and dizziness. A number of other symptoms may be noted.
The fourth degree is characterized by prolapse of the vertebra, is considered the most severe form of the disease. For this stage of spondylolisthesis, serious changes and malfunctions in the activity of internal organs and the spine itself are characteristic.
If you do not deal with the treatment of thoracic vertebrae displacement in time, the symptoms of pathology will become even stronger, which will gradually lead to paralysis, disability and various processes of an irreversible nature in the functioning of the brain and vital systems.
Causes
The prerequisites for the displacement of the vertebrae of the thoracic region are not so extensive, such a disease is quite rare, compared with a subluxation of the cervical and lumbar segments. The main reason is a defect in one of the components of the ridge, against which, due to the usual load on the supporting system, a vertebral leg fracture occurs. Of course, it gradually grows together, but at the same time a massive scar tissue is formed, due to which the vertebra does not return to its place.
In some cases, a ridge injury received in childhood, it turns out to identify only after many years. Usually, such a fracture does not grow together completely, against the background of which, over time, the first signs of spondylolisthesis appear.
In addition, the displacement of the vertebrae of the thoracic region can develop after a strong fall on the back, undergoing surgery in this area. Often, pathology arises against the background of a weak joint-ligamentous apparatus and age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system.
Among other things, it should be borne in mind that spinal injury does not always manifest itself immediately. It may well remind of itself only after a few months or even years. As for the complications, such a pathology can lead to peptic ulcer, gastritis or pancreatitis.
Symptoms of thoracic vertebrae displacement
Signs of the disease do not appear immediately. The intensity of the symptoms depends primarily on the degree of the displacement itself, the causes of the damage, the age of the patient and his overall health.
To prescribe the optimal treatment regimen, it is very important to know and recognize the signs of pathology, which include:
- a continuous feeling of pulling, aching pain, aggravated by bending and trying to take a deep breath;
- recurrent muscle spasms in the back;
- respiratory and heart rhythm disorders;
- intercostal neuralgia, capable of paralyzing the patient for several minutes, usually it recedes as suddenly as it is born;
- shooting pain radiating to the region of the heart;
- disturbed urination;
- disruptions in bowel activity;
- weakness in the arms and legs.
In childhood, the clinical signs of spondylolisthesis are almost completely absent, especially in the early stages of the disease. With an increase in the degree of deformation, the child may begin to complain about the occurrence of pain in the damaged section, which is aching in nature. Most often, it appears after a long lack of mobility or, conversely, after excessive physical activity. In this case, the pain is not constant and quickly recedes. At this stage, patients rarely see a doctor.
But in severe forms of the disease, even the appearance of the patient with a diagnosis of "displacement of the vertebrae of the thoracic region" can change. The photos demonstrate the likely changes in the patient's appearance and the most common clinical signs of pathology. The patient may experience a turn of the pelvis, multiple strengthening of an existing lordosis or kyphosis. At the last stages of the pathology, the patient may lengthen legs, shorten the trunk, and deepen the longitudinal vertebral groove. Sometimes there is even hypotrophy of the gluteal muscles.
If you know that you have a ridge pathology or you have recently suffered a serious injury, while there are some of the symptoms described, you should immediately seek medical help to start the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Diagnostics
At the time of a visual examination, a vertebrologist, traumatologist or orthopedist can detect spinal deformity, placement and tenderness of the spinous processes and paravertebral points, as well as assess the condition of tendon reflexes and pelvic functions.
All the described symptoms can mimic the manifestations of lumbago, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, so the use of instrumental techniques is an extremely important step in the diagnosis. The most accessible and sought-after among them is considered to be x-ray. This simple procedure makes it possible to identify and determine the degree of spondylolisthesis and the presence of concomitant defects. If there are any difficulties in making the final diagnosis, the patient may be additionally assigned the following examinations: CT, MRI and radiopaque tests. To clarify the severity of clinical manifestations and the causes of the onset of the disease, a consultation of a neurologist is recommended.
How to treat thoracic vertebrae displacement
In the treatment of spondylolisthesis, both conservative techniques and surgical intervention can be used. The first option involves the use of drug treatment for displacement of the vertebrae of the thoracic region. In this case, patients are usually prescribed:
- painkillers for the relief of pain, most often used analgesics and anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs;
- all kinds of blockades, funds are introduced into the hernia that reduce its secretion;
- chondroprotectors focus on the restoration of cartilage;
- muscle relaxants are needed to relieve muscle cramps in the chest area;
- vascular medicines are necessary to supply the weakened spine with beneficial substances and accelerate recovery.
Therapeutic measures
In addition, conservative therapy involves physiotherapy. Among them, the most popular are:
- pressure chamber;
- electrophoresis;
- spinal traction;
- phonophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- acupuncture.
Gymnastics
Among other things, the patient is recommended special exercises for the displacement of the vertebrae of the thoracic region. It is only worth bearing in mind that therapeutic exercises aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pathology should occur strictly under the supervision of a doctor.
The result achieved with the competent implementation of such physical education is able to exceed any expectations. It is thanks to such exercises that dizziness, pain between the shoulder blades recede, blood flow in the damaged areas improves, which significantly enhances the effect of the drugs used.