{"id":2729,"date":"2016-09-05T00:14:24","date_gmt":"2016-09-05T00:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.s3c.com.au\/?page_id=2729"},"modified":"2021-06-30T09:01:41","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T09:01:41","slug":"thoracic-osteophytes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.s3c.com.au\/education-centre\/conditions\/mid-back\/thoracic-osteophytes\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoracic Osteophytes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thoracic (mid back) osteophytes<\/h1>\n

Thoracic (mid-back) osteophytes are also called bone spurs. Osteophytes are bone projections that develop around cartilage or tendons. 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. Thoracic osteophytes will usually only produce pain if they irritate a pain-sensitive structure, such as joint structures or nerves.<\/p>\n

How do thoracic osteophytes come about?<\/b><\/p>\n

Osteophytes generally form due to a process known as degeneration, for more information on this please see this technical article on spinal degeneration<\/a>. The basic pathophysiology is:<\/p>\n

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  1. Excessive mechanical stresses (age, genetic and lifestyle factors) leads to structural derangement of spinal joints.<\/li>\n
  2. Cartilage in this area becomes degenerated, affecting the movement of the joint. Initial degeneration fo cartilage may initiate the release of further enzymes that accelerate the breakdown of cartilage. This acts as the trigger for osteophyte formation.<\/li>\n
  3. Osteophytes express transforming growth factor \u03b2, a factor that is involved in the initial formation and also in the later developmental stages of bone spurs. Expression of growth factors and mediators play a key role in the formation of osteophytes.<\/li>\n
  4. Osteophytes contain fibroblasts, pre-chondrocytes, maturing chondrocytes, hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Type II collagen is the most prominent component in the cartilaginous zone of osteophytes.<\/li>\n
  5. Ligaments thicken and begin to calcify, resulting in particles of bone or bone spur formation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why do thoracic osteophytes occur?<\/b><\/p>\n

    Risk factors for thoracic osteophytes include:<\/p>\n