What is Thoracic Osteophytosis?
What is Thoracic Osteophytosis?
• Vertebral osteophytosis is a proliferation of bone that occurs within the intervertebral ligaments at their insertions into the apophyseal rings of the vertebral bodies and gives the effect of lipping in roentgenograms. It is sometimes asymptomatic.
What are the symptoms of osteophytes?
For example, osteophytes in the: spine can cause pain and stiffness in the back. neck can pinch a nearby nerve and cause pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the arms. shoulder can limit the space available for tendons and ligaments, and may be linked to tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear.
What causes an osteophyte?
A bone spur (osteophyte) is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone. Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation, such as from degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) or tendonitis. Bone spurs develop in areas of inflammation or injury of nearby cartilage or tendons.
What causes thoracic osteophytes?
They typically occur near joints in the mid-back and upper back (i.e. thoracic spine). Osteophytes are usually first noticed because they irritate or inflame joint structures and nerves. Spinal joints that undergo wear-and-tear, or processes such as arthritis, will typically develop bone spurs.
What causes thoracic bone spurs?
The spurs themselves are not painful. Their effect on nearby structures, such as nerves and the spinal cord, can cause pain. Factors that contribute to bone spurs include aging, heredity, injuries, poor nutrition and poor posture. Treatments can include medication, physical therapy and rest.
Do osteophytes mean arthritis?
Osteophytes often develop in joints that show signs of degeneration. They are associated with the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis. 1 Their presence can serve to distinguish osteoarthritis from other types of arthritis.
What are symptoms of pain in the thoracic spine?
A symptom of thoracic spine pain could be caused by a herniated disc in the upper back. It may be accompanied by pain that radiates down the back or numbness. Other symptoms are balance difficulties, problems walking, weakness, bowel or bladder dysfunction.
What is lower thoracic spine?
Referring to the upper and middle back, the thoracic spine joins the cervical spine and extends down five inches past the bottom of your shoulder blades. The lower portion of the thoracic spine connects to the lumbar spine. The thoracic spine is made up of 12 vertebrae and acts as the stabilizer to your spine.
What is arthritis of the thoracic spine?
Thoracic arthritis is a general term that describes the specific several forms of arthritis that affect the spine. Namely, these forms of arthritis primarily include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
What causes bone spurs on the spine?
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of bone spurs of the back and other spurs and typically causes these bony growths to develop around arthritic joints. Other causes of back bone spurs include diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and spinal stenosis.