Spondylosis is a broad term used to describe how the spine ages and experiences wear and strain. Signs of osteoarthritis, such as bony protrusion around the margins of the bones, appear as the discs dry up and shrink (bone spurs). Spondylosis is quite prevalent and gets worse with age.

• Spondylosis is a type of arthritis caused by wear and tear on the spine.
• This occurs when discs and joints degenerate and bone spurs develop on one or both vertebrae.
• These changes can alter the movement of the spine and affect the nerves.
• Since the function of the thoracic spine is not as heavy as the cervical and lumbar spine, thoracic spondylosis develops as a side effect of the degeneration of the spine in another location.

Disc degeneration and bone spur formation

When the disc degenerates, the elastic fibers of the annulus decrease and are replaced by fibrous tissue. This results in a loss of elasticity, and the flexibility of movement between two vertebrae is reduced. The intradiscal pressure that normally helps keep the vertebrae apart is reduced, and the vertebrae move closer together. The ability to absorb shocks is reduced. The fibrous capsule and its ligaments loosen, and anterior-posterior sliding motion, normally impossible, can now occur.

This results in two pathological conditions, which can cause pain. The ligaments loosen as the vertebrae move closer together, the attachment of the ligaments to the periosteum weakens, and any pressure on the ligament leads to dissection of the periosteum. Disc material, usually confined to a taut ligament compartment, can now dissect the released ligament from its previous site of attachment to the vertebrae. Extrusion of the disc material is facilitated by fragmentation of the annulus.

Extruded material decreases the amount of disc tissue between the vertebrae and allows for greater vertebral approximation, greater ligament laxity, greater dissection of the ligament-periosteal attachment, and greater protrusion of nuclear material: the process becomes a vicious circle. The extruded material, since it is a foreign body, causes an irritation reaction. This irritation can be removed by fibrous replacement followed by calcification. This calcified extruded tissue becomes the “arthritic spur” seen on x-rays. This is why the concept of evolution of spondylosis seems feasible.

Facet joints (or zygapophyseal joints)

• Disc degeneration (thinning) will cause greater pressure on the facet or zygapophyseal joints
• Each vertebral body has four facet joints that function as hinges.
• These are the articulated (mobile) joints of the spine that allow extension, flexion and rotation.
• Like other joints, the bony joint surfaces are covered with cartilage.
• Cartilage is a special type of connective tissue that provides a self-lubricating, low-friction sliding surface.
• The degeneration of facet joints leads to loss of cartilage and the formation of osteophytes (e.g. bone spurs).
• These changes can lead to hypertrophy or osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease.

Quelles sont les causes d’une spondylose dorsale?

Thoracic spondylosis is caused by wear and tear on the vertebrae and the discs that absorb the shock between each vertebra. As we age, the discs dry out and extra bone often builds up around the vertebrae (osteophytes), which can irritate certain structures around the spine.

• Overweight
• Bad posture
• Smoking
• Chronic cough
• Lack of exercise
• Ostéoporose
• Severe fall

What are the symptoms of thoracic spondylosis?

• Weakness of the muscles
• Poor coordination
• Difficulty walking around
• Increased pain during an activity
• People with thoracic spondylosis may have some or none of these symptoms.

Thoracic spondylosis

• Pain in the upper back, especially in the morning when getting up.
• Stiffness of the middle or upper back.
• Numbness and tingling of the upper and lower limbs.