Degenerative dystrophic diseases of the spine are a form of human payment for walking upright. It is known that other mammals do not suffer from osteochondrosis, as their spine is located horizontally on the earth's surface. Vertical loads during walking lead to the gradual destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs and contribute to the displacement of the vertebrae to a dangerous position.
In the thoracic region, these processes occur less frequently than in the sacral and cervical regions, but this does not lessen the danger of the disease. This article will address in detail the issues of symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, as well as points related to the prevention of this disease.
Characteristics of thoracic osteochondrosis
The thoracic spine is characterized by low mobility, which reduces the likelihood of degenerative processes in this area. However, cases of the disease are regularly recorded by orthopedists and traumatologists in representatives of different age groups.
In recent decades, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of osteochondrosis in civilized countries. Doctors believe that the main reasons for this trend are an inactive lifestyle, a poor diet and the overall environment of the planet.
Women suffer from thoracic osteochondrosis 2 to 3 times more than men. This is due to the peculiarities of female anatomy and physiology. Additional influencing factors are: childbirth, walking in high heels, general weakness of the muscle-ligament system in women.
In both sexes, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region causes painful symptoms and reduces range of motion. The progression of the pathology is fraught with compression of the nerve endings, which inevitably affects the state of the internal organs. Advanced cases of the disease are usually accompanied by disorders in the blood and heart vessels, respiratory problems.
Anatomically, 12 thoracic vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternum in a strong and inactive structure that protects the internal organs from mechanical stress. In the initial phase, the disease causes almost no serious symptoms, but in the later stages, the manifestations of the pathology are so diverse that sometimes this prevents an accurate diagnosis. It is no wonder that osteochondrosis is often called a "chameleon disease".
The most common causes of thoracic osteochondrosis are trauma, weakness of the muscular system, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders, excessive load on the back and genetic predisposition. The disease evolves gradually, which, on the one hand, allows treatment to start in time and interrupt the degenerative processes, but, on the other hand, prevents the early detection of the pathology.
Stages of the disease
Doctors classify thoracic osteochondrosis by stages of development:
Stage 1.Intervertebral discs lose their elastic qualities, decrease in size, but have not yet changed their anatomical position.
Stage 2.There is an additional decrease in the height of the discs and the spine itself loses its stability. Cracks form in the ring, discs move and press on nerve endings, blood vessels and muscles. The second stage is characterized by severe back pain and neurological symptoms.
Stage 3.Degenerative processes can lead to the development of protrusions and ruptures of the fibrous annulus. In these cases, herniated discs are diagnosed. The discs lose their cushioning properties and fail to perform their proper anatomical functions. The vertebrae themselves also suffer - they converge, collapse and form osteophytes - dangerous bone growth.
In addition to hard tissue, muscles, ligaments and tendons are affected. The muscles are blocked, spasmodic phenomena occur in them. The body tries to immobilize the affected area as much as possible in order to reduce pain - this leads to muscle congestion and muscle atrophy.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
As already mentioned, in the initial phase, thoracic osteochondrosis manifests itself weakly or at all. As the pathology progresses, periodic pain develops between the shoulder blades: the symptoms intensify after physical activity or, conversely, after prolonged rest. Often, pain bothers patients in the morning after waking up and weakens within an hour. Sometimes the pain moves along the intercostal nerve, radiating to the chest when coughing, sneezing or running.
Typical signs
In 2 to 3 stages, the most indicative symptom of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a constant painful pain in the interscapular zone. Chest pains are also quite typical: the sensations resemble an attack of angina pectoris with coronary artery disease or heart failure.
The similarity of symptoms to heart disease is a very common cause of misdiagnosis. However, it is quite simple to distinguish pain in the degenerative processes of the spine from cardiac symptoms: nitroglycerin and similar drugs that stop angina attacks, with osteochondrosis, do not in any way relieve the patient's condition.
Other characteristic symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Stiffness of the trunk muscles during deep breathing (back pain) - as if the body were tightened with an arc;
- Dorsago - a sharp pain in the chest (the so-called "chest lumbago");
- Feeling of chills and numbness in the hands (in the presence of root syndrome);
- Intercostal pain during walking and physical activity (intercostal neuralgia): with inflammation of the nerve endings, the pain becomes constant;
- Spasms in the thoracic back;
- Pain when lifting your arms, turning your torso and taking a deep breath.
The stages of the disease directly affect the intensity of the symptoms. For patients therapeutically, it is important not to eliminate the pain with drugs and unconventional methods (analgesics, antispasmodics, various ointments, compresses and heated pads), but visit the clinic and find out with the doctor the cause of the pain. Self-treatment for osteochondrosis is rarely effective and, in some cases, even worsens the course of the disease.
Rare symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic area is usually disguised as other pathologies, causing its symptoms. This complicates the diagnosis and is often the cause of inadequate treatment.
The atypical manifestations of the disease are very diverse:
- Signs of ischemia, heart attack, heart attack (ECG or other tests should be performed for differential diagnosis);
- Pain that resembles breast diseases in women: to exclude the presence of neoplasms, you must be examined by a mamologist;
- Pain that resembles gastritis, colitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, hepatitis - to exclude these diseases, the diagnosis is prescribed by a gastroenterologist;
- Paroxysmal waist pains corresponding to renal colic or other diseases of the urinary system.
Urinary and reproductive system diseases are also possible. Women have anorgasmia, painful and intense menstruation (menorrhagia) and, sometimes, infertility. Men suffer from erectile dysfunction. Doctors are not always able to find the true cause of these pathologies and, therefore, the treatment of reproductive diseases does not give a positive dynamic.
Sometimes, with osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, pressure spikes, toothache and headaches, sleep disturbances, tinnitus occur. Psychoemotional disorders are not excluded - irritability, depression, crying, anxiety.
Diagnosis, therapy and prevention
External examination, palpation and range of motion tests are performed to detect the disease. It is important to know in detail the patient's duration of symptoms, their nature and the concomitant manifestations of the disease.
The following procedures are prescribed:
- X-ray of the column;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity (if necessary);
- Blood and urine tests;
- Myelography;
- ECG (to exclude cardiac pathologies).
After the diagnosis is made, a treatment regimen is developed. There is no single protocol for the treatment of osteochondrosis: health procedures depend on the condition of the patient, age, physical condition and the state of the immune system.
The main goal of treatment is to minimize the consequences of degenerative processes in cartilage tissue and prevent the development of complications. Therapy is generally outpatient, with the exception of particularly serious clinical situations. Mainly conservative therapy is practiced.
Medication
The medications are prescribed only for severe pain syndrome and inflammatory processes. It is preferable to use medications in the form of external ointments, less often tablets, intramuscular or epidural injections are prescribed.
Most topical drug types:
- Analgesics;
- Anti-inflammatories;
- Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
- Vitamin complexes;
- Steroids.
Experienced therapists will never offer exclusively drug therapy. As soon as the pain and inflammation subsides, the medication is stopped.
Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage
These methods play an important role in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the thoracic spine. These techniques eliminate pain, strengthen ligaments and muscles, restore and stimulate blood circulation, metabolic processes.
Popular methods of physiotherapy:
- Magnetotherapy;
- Electrophoresis and phonophoresis;
- Laser exposure;
- Therapy with amplipulse;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Paraffin applications;
- Kinesio taping;
- Mud therapy;
- Balneotherapy;
- Hypothermia;
- Hirudotherapy, treatment with bee venom.
The main advantage of physical therapy is safety. Procedures can be prescribed at any age, with almost all concomitant illnesses. A separate area from physical therapy is reflexology (acupuncture). The method is effective, but requires the presence of a specialist professional.
Physiotherapy is a mandatory step in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. Gymnastics strengthens the muscular system, restores the normal anatomical position of the vertebral structures, reduces pressure on nerve endings and prevents the development of protrusions and hernias of the intervertebral discs.
Complex exercises should be performed regularly and over a long period of time - only in this case will they produce a noticeable therapeutic effect. Ideally, sessions should be conducted under the guidance of an instructor, as any incorrect movement can cause injury and pain.
Massage (manual and hardware effects) has the same therapeutic tasks as exercise therapy: reducing pain, improving blood flow, strengthening muscles. In addition to the impact with the hands of a specialist, they practice the use of massagers, applicators, orthopedic devices.
Radical treatment
Surgery for breast osteochondrosis in modern medical institutions is used in exceptional cases - when there is a real danger of pinching the spinal cord or when there are dangerous protrusions and hernias. Spine surgery is always an additional risk, so interventions are rarely performed and only by experienced surgeons.
Prevention
Disease prevention is much easier than long-term (and sometimes lifelong) therapy. Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot reverse degenerative processes, it can only minimize the consequences of the pathology and eliminate acute symptoms.
Therefore, prevention of osteochondrosis should be treated from childhood. The development of the disease is hindered by: correct posture, balanced diet, correct alternation of physical activity and rest, sleeping in a comfortable bed. A positive role is played by the timely diagnosis of the disease and the strict application of the doctor's recommendations.