Dislocation of the thoracic vertebrae

A slipped thoracic vertebra, or spondylolisthesis, is a condition of the spine in which the vertebrae slip forward or backward in relation to other vertebrae, and the vertebra may slip forward or backward.

The consequences of this pathology are quite severe – deformation of the spinal column, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as compression of the nerve roots emerging from the intervertebral openings.

There are several types of vertebral displacement.

1. The congenital form, dysplastic spondylolisthesis, refers to intrauterine developmental defects.
2. Isthmic spondylolisthesis is characterized by a defect in the interarticular surface of the vertebra and is often found in athletes.
3. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is characterized by arthritic changes in the vertebral joints. It occurs in older people.
4. Traumatic spondylolisthesis. Develops as a result of spinal trauma, specifically after a fracture of the pedicle, facet joint, or lamina of the vertebral arch, which causes its anterior part to shift forward.
5. Pathological spondylolisthesis. Bone deformity resulting from a tumor disease.

In addition, displacement of the thoracic vertebra not only causes local pain and limited movement, but is also the cause of systemic pathologies of the body.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Causes of displacement of thoracic vertebrae

The causes of displacement of the thoracic vertebrae are not so extensive, such pathology is quite rare, compared to displacement of the lumbar or cervical vertebrae. The central cause is a defect of one of the thoracic vertebrae, as a result of which, due to the standard load on the spine, a fracture of the vertebral pedicle occurs. The fracture heals, but a massive cicatricial body is formed, due to which the vertebra does not take the proper position.

Sometimes a spinal injury sustained in childhood while playing sports can be recognized many years later. And, as a rule, such a fracture does not heal completely, and over time the first symptoms of vertebral displacement appear.

Also, displacement of the thoracic vertebrae may occur after falling on the back, operations on the spinal column; with a weak articular-ligamentous apparatus, age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system.

Also, it is necessary to take into account the fact that damage to the spine does not immediately make itself known, but after a certain time - from several days to several years. Displacement of the vertebrae in the thoracic region can cause complications in the digestive system in the form of peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, gastritis.

Symptoms of thoracic vertebrae displacement

Symptoms of thoracic vertebrae displacement are rarely pronounced. The patient is bothered by pain in the thoracic region, chronic pain. The pain may be mechanical - due to instability of the vertebral-motor segment when the vertebra slips. Radicular pain occurs when the nerve root is compressed by ligaments, bones. Sometimes the nerve root can be compressed by a cicatricial formation at the site of a fracture or a tumor. If the vertebra shifts forward, stenosis of the spinal canal may occur.

When the thoracic vertebrae are displaced, the pain is localized in the thoracic region and may radiate to the lower back. When a nerve root is pinched, the pain may be of a girdle-like, burning nature, the pain will intensify when moving the arms back, when lifting weights, or when sitting for a long time. In addition, when the thoracic vertebrae are displaced, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may bother you - heartburn, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease. Changes in the spinal column occur in several stages. At the first stage, pain appears infrequently and is not pronounced. At the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and bothers you more often. At the third stage, not only pain bothers you, but also the subsidence of the spine at the site of the fallen vertebra. At the fourth stage, the changes are almost irreversible, the gait and working posture change.

Diagnosis of displacement of thoracic vertebrae

Diagnosis of thoracic vertebrae displacement is the responsibility of a traumatologist or osteopath. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to provide detailed information about the frequency of pain, its nature, localization and accompanying changes or disorders. In addition to questioning and general examination, the doctor palpates painful areas, checks tendon reflexes, muscle strength, skin sensitivity, and nerve root tension.

X-ray, tomography or MRI will help to absolutely accurately confirm the data of a physical examination. In most cases, you can get by with just an X-ray, but even after confirming the diagnosis, you cannot say with certainty that spondylolisthesis is the cause of painful sensations in the back. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of an intervertebral hernia or tumor.

In X-ray diagnostics, five types of vertebral displacement are distinguished. If in the first degree the percentage of displacement does not exceed 25%, then in the fifth, the most severe degree, the vertebra is completely separated from the neighboring one.

After confirming the diagnosis and the true cause of the disease, the correct treatment for spondylolisthesis is prescribed, depending on the degree of progression of the disease.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Treatment of thoracic vertebrae displacement

Treatment of thoracic vertebral displacement is best started as early as possible to eliminate the possibility of severe complications. For each confirmed case, an individual treatment plan is developed, depending on the degree of damage. The treatment plan is aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the vertebral displacement, relieving pain in the back and chest, and eliminating complications from the gastrointestinal tract.

Depending on the degree of displacement, the doctor prescribes special procedures for the following sections of the spine:

1. Kinesiology. A type of manual therapy aimed at returning a prolapsed vertebra to its place.
2. Kinesiotherapy. Forced traction of the spinal column, during which the vertebrae themselves fall into place.
3. Acupuncture. Aimed at eliminating pain and excessive muscle tension.
4. Hirudotherapy. Treatment with leeches improves the physical properties of blood, and also stimulates blood flow and oxygen enrichment to the painful area.
5. Therapeutic massage for vertebral displacement is aimed at maintaining muscle tone and relieving pain.
6. A set of therapeutic exercises aimed at strengthening the back muscles.
7. Manual therapy and other physical procedures.
8. In extreme cases, surgical intervention is recommended.

Prevention of displacement of thoracic vertebrae

Prevention of displacement of the thoracic vertebrae is especially important if there are already recorded disorders of the spinal column, which can cause displacement. For example, instability of the thoracic vertebrae, as well as cervical or lumbar. As additional measures, doctors recommend:

• Stand less, limit your time in an upright position, especially when combined with high loads.
• Avoid intense physical activity for a certain period of time.
• Wear a special corset to support your posture.
• Take anti-inflammatory medications.

If there are no recorded problems with the spine, but nevertheless there is a high probability of changes, taking vitamin and mineral complexes containing calcium is recommended. This is necessary to maintain optimal bone density.

It is also very important to strengthen the ligaments and develop the strength of the back muscles so that the skeletal apparatus of the back is always supported. Prevention of displacement of the thoracic vertebrae includes a light set of gymnastic exercises that need to be done every day, try not to carry too heavy objects, and if it is not possible to exclude this possibility, then distribute the load on both hands as evenly as possible. When lifting a heavy object from the ground, do not make a sharp jerk, but first squat down, and only then lift it. The load from the back will move to the leg muscles, and the back will not be so loaded. It is also important to correctly distribute the load when putting on shoes and fastening them, and do this while sitting, to protect the back from sudden movements that can provoke a vertebra to fall out.

Prognosis of thoracic vertebral displacement

The prognosis for displacement of the thoracic vertebrae with timely diagnosis and treatment is favorable, but it leads to a limitation of active life. Displacement of the vertebra provokes neurological disorders, which become more pronounced over time. Displacement of the thoracic vertebrae refers to acquired diseases, which can cause the development of more serious pathologies of internal organs and systems. In addition, damage to a specific vertebra entails specific disorders in other systems.

• Displacement of the first thoracic vertebra provokes the development of asthma, causeless cough, shortness of breath, and pain in the arms.
• Displacement of the second thoracic vertebra causes discomfort in the cardiovascular system.
• Third vertebra – bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, hyperemia.
• The fourth - jaundice, shingles, gallbladder disease.
• Fifth – anemia, circulatory problems, arthritis, liver disease.
• The sixth - stomach pathologies, the seventh - gastritis, peptic ulcer, the eighth - weakened immunity.
• The ninth - nephritis, pyelonephritis, hardening of the arteries, the tenth - chronic fatigue.
• On the eleventh – skin diseases, on the twelfth – rheumatism, abdominal pain, infertility.

Thus, displacement of the thoracic vertebrae is an acquired disease that can lead to various functional disorders of internal organs and systems.