The human spine is, in the literal sense of the word, its support. It is designed so that it can withstand heavy loads. When a different kind of negative influence is exerted on the body, thoracic osteochondrosis develops.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, elasticity and strength, that is, their dystrophic and degenerative changes occur. The basis is the violation of metabolic processes in disc tissues. Furthermore, there is a change in the structure of the vertebrae themselves.
The eligibility of using the term "spine osteochondrosis" is now contested, as is the elimination of all back pain for this problem.
In the international classification of diseases of the 10th revision of the nosological unit "osteochondrosis" is not, but the term still exists among physicians.
Degenerative dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine do not develop as often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If left chest pain occurs, even if it increases with inspiration, associated with movement, electrocardiography is mandatory to exclude acute coronary syndrome.
what is the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the rarest form of unnatural changes in the spine. The fact is that, unlike the lumbar and cervical regions, the thoracic region of the spine is supported and strengthened by the ribs.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common than other forms of this condition as the thoracic spine is reinforced with ribs.
Symptoms are often similar to heart disease as well as pleural disease.
Diagnosis is made on the basis of X-rays, CT scan, MRI. Treatment is selected to alleviate symptoms and prevent further degradation of spinal cartilage.
Even significant loads cause minimal damage to the vertebrae in this area. However, the main danger to the vertebrae in this area is a prolonged sedentary state.
This osteochondrosis causes an alteration in the vertebrae themselves and in nearby organs. The onset of the disease is usually mild, with no acute pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its peculiarity in passing through other diseases.
This pathology can often be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- illnessesgastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- illnesseshearts;
- inflammationappendix;
- renalcolic.
With a thorough examination, it is soon found that the symptoms of other diseases are unconfirmed, although there are clear signs of one of the degrees of osteochondrosis.
The prevalence of the disease
The risk group includes workers in any type of activity. Most of the time, thoracic osteochondrosis (GO) occurs in people over 55 years of age, but among young people it is also possible to see the first signs of the development of the disease. In the sample surveyed by the doctors, 38% were men and 62% women.
The initial phase of HO occurs in 71% of respondents. Osteochondrosis is the most common cause of disability in the working population. There are 33 to 165 cases per 100 workers per year. Those ones. in many cases, within a year, a person has several relapses, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdiscs,because of which they lose flexibility and elasticity. At this stage, the discs are gradually flattened and modified, they are still able to support the load, but the person already feels unpleasant sensations.
- dehydrated crackfibrousdisc rings. When the position of the body changes, a pronounced pain is felt.
- the gapfrom the outer shell of the disc, the nucleus pulposus exits, forming a hernia, which touches the nerve roots that extend from the spine, in this situation there is acute pain.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- Illness1 degreediagnosed with rupture of the intervertebral disc, when there is sharp pain in the sternum, comparable to an electric shock, while the muscles are extremely tense.
- 2nd degreecharacterized by the appearance of disc protrusion, when part of it begins to press on the nerve roots, but the nucleus pulposus is still intact and does not come out. This degree of osteochondrosis occurs in a constant alternation of exacerbations and remissions.
- At the3 degreesthe pains are permanent, as the nerve endings are subject to incessant irritation. At this stage, there is numbness of the limbs, severe headaches, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to general health problems.
- At the4 degreesIrreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification, the spine loses its mobility in this location.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, an appropriate method of treatment is selected.
causes
Osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, but the most common:
- ExcessiveWeightbody. The spine is unable to constantly support much weight.
- Wrongnutrition.Due to the small consumption of foods containing calcium and the simultaneous consumption of foods, which leach them from the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae gradually wear out. Furthermore, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral discs suffer, which lack these important micronutrients.
- Smoking.Tobacco use disrupts the body's metabolic processes and this has a significant effect on the state of the intervertebral discs.
- Violationposture.A systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which in turn causes osteochondrosis.
- SedentaryLifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of physical activity cause the muscles in the body to lose tone. They relax and cannot fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- physical increasecharge.Most of the time they happen to professional athletes, however, in everyday conditions, there are such situations. If a powerful effect is exerted on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of protrusion and hernia.
- Geneticpredisposition. Often, similar pathological disorders in the vertebrae and discs are found in close relatives.
- Waschange. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give elasticity to the intervertebral discs. Bone tissue becomes porous and fragile, which means that the vertebrae are subject to deformation.
- Traumaback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not go without a trace and gives rise to transformations in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disturbances in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can become an impetus for the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
As thoracic osteochondrosis is similar in symptomatology to many other diseases, it is quite difficult to distinguish its signs. However, doctors agree that the obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be considered:
- pain betweenribs;
- pain in the upper partmembers,accompanied by a feeling of tingling and numbness;
- deep painbreathing;
- pain when tryingto createhand;
- inability to commit for the body of the bodyto leanin one direction or another;
- convulsionsin the muscles;
- pallorskin due to improper functioning of nerve endings;
- sensationlumbagoon the back.
Pain attacks increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature as the body rotates.
As the pain can radiate to the anterior superior sternum, it is often confused with heart pain.
| Vertebra no. | What parts of the body are associated | what causes |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmia |
| D2 | palms, wrists, hands | Pain in chest, palms and arms |
| D3 | Chest, pleura, lungs, bronchi | Pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, bronchitis |
| D4 | bile duct and bladder | jaundice, gallstones |
| D5 | solar plexus | Jaundice, poor blood clotting |
| D6 | Liver | Ulcers, gastritis, digestive problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Stools, Digestive Disorders, Ulcers and Diabetes |
| D8 | diaphragm, spleen | Weakened Immune System, Allergies |
| D9 | adrenal glands | Weakness, fatigue, kidney problems |
| D10 | Kidney | Infertility, Digestive Problems, Diseases of the Female Genital Organs |
| D11 | ureters | kidney disease, urinary problems |
| D12 | Fallopian tubes, inguinal rings, colon and small intestine | Infertility, diseases of Organs genitals, problems with stools and digestion |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be seen - back and back pain.
Dorsago is a syndrome accompanied by severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the sternum. Inhaling, exhaling, and the usual attempts to turn the body in one direction or another are accompanied by painful sensations. This syndrome often occurs in people who spend a lot of time in the same position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - unlike the dorsago, it develops imperceptibly for about a month. It is characterized by throbbing pain and discomfort in the chest. Pain increases in the dark, with deep breathing and an uncomfortable body position.
| Where does it hurt? | how does this manifest |
|---|---|
| breast | Constriction is felt in the back and chest, it becomes difficult to breathe, pain is felt when breathing and bending, sometimes felt in the heart region and left sternum |
| Neck | Hands are numb, voice hoarse, breathing is labored, head aches, dizziness, vision and hearing are falling |
| small from the back | Cold feet syndrome, lower extremity spasms, increased sweating, abnormalities in the genitourinary system, low back pain - dull or acute |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationlumpin the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus, occurs if the disease affects the upper chest;
- symptomspancreatitis,cholecystitis occurs when the mid-thoracic region is affected;
- pathologyintestinesis able to simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic region;
- intercostalneuralgia,arising from the violation of the intercostal nerve roots, the pain in this case is shingles in nature. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of Organs internal organs;
- pulmonarysyndrome - expressed by symptoms of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
During the course of the disease, several and almost all symptoms can be observed simultaneously, and they change depending on the stage of the thoracic osteochondrosis.
| Factor | osteochondrosis | myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Less often severe pain, more often mild pain | strong to unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Long: one day or more | several hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between shoulder blades | neck, behind the breastbone | neck, behind the breastbone |
Diagnosis
The main diagnostic methods for thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- X-ray.In the images obtained with its help, the following signs usually appear: altered shape of the vertebral body; the presence of bone growths; reduced height of intervertebral discs; irregular edges of the plates; thinning of the spinal canal; Degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- Computertomography. In difficult cases it is necessary to obtain a complete 3D model of the spine.
- neurophysiologicalexam. Tendon reflexes are assessed, as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography).
- Studybloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
As thoracic osteochondrosis is quite difficult to diagnose, you should know its primary symptoms and see a doctor in time.
First aid for exacerbation
If you need to get rid of an attack in a short amount of time, experts recommend adhering to a series of recommendations.
First, the area where the pain syndrome manifests needs to be warmed up. For this it is better to use special medicinal ointments. Doctors advise against the use of herbal decoctions as there is a possibility of severe burns. A woolen shawl or scarf works best for a warming compress.
Next, you need to assume a body position that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. It is advisable to lie down on a hard surface such as the floor.
At the time of an exacerbation, a tight bandage should be applied to the chest.
Taking a drug with an analgesic effect will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If, after 60 minutes, the state of health does not improve, an ambulance must be called. When the doctor arrives, he needs to be informed about the use of pain relievers.
Treatment
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatoryNon-steroidal medications - help to suppress inflammation and relieve pain. Hormonal preparations are added if necessary.
- muscle relaxants- relax muscles that are under tension.
- Sedativesdrugs - to reduce anxiety and irritability caused by constant pain.
- Diureticmedications to relieve swelling.
- Medicinesto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Prescription drugs to accelerate cartilage tissue regeneration - insufficient evidence base, effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncture specialists are able to alleviate pain in osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manualtherapy. An experienced chiropractor is able to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- Massage.It is permissible to use this method of treatment in the absence of a herniated disc.
- Ultrasonictherapy.
- electromagnetictherapy.
- Mud Therapy.
- Stretching.Thanks to this method, the muscles and spine are stretched up to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, leads to decompression of the nerve endings, as the inflammatory process is eliminated, the pain disappears, and local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment doesn't work or if a herniated disc forms, surgery is rarely needed.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotective - gelatinized meat, jelly, puddings, strong stewed lamb and beef broths.
All doctors claim that swimming is essential for maintaining spinal health. This type of activity allows the load to be evenly distributed throughout the body, helps to align the spine, strengthen the back muscles and, in general, improves the health of the body. However, it is important to remember that, in the presence of a hernia, this method of recovery is excluded while an exacerbation occurs.
Physiotherapy
If first-degree thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed, regular exercise will allow you to deal with the problem without resorting to medication. In addition, to obtain a positive result, it is recommended to perform labor gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises daily:
- lean your body forward while alternately bending your lower limbs;
- do sideways bends, taking turns to raise your hands;
- raise the upper and lower limbs simultaneously in a prone position;
- lean your body forward, reaching with your hands to the foot on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. It is allowed to make 3 approaches.
Experts provide another set of exercises:
- Stand up. Raise your arms as you inhale and lower them as you exhale.
- Sit in a chair with a back. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that your shoulder blades are as close together as possible. Slightly bend your lower back.
- Get on all fours. Lift your right leg and left arm off the floor, straighten and release. In this position you need to stay for 15 seconds. After that, take the starting position and do the same on the opposite limbs.
- Perform the "cat" exercise. To do this, you also need to assume a position, get on all fours, bend your lower back, and bend up.
Each must be done 15 to 20 times. If during some exercise painful sensations arise, it is better not to do it.
After the muscular corset gets stronger, the specialist will recommend moving on to more complex exercises.
It must be remembered that during the period of exacerbation of the disease, the load should be minimal, but classes should not be completely abandoned.
consequences and complications
Complications with the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, as the disease is initially latent and asymptomatic, and can be recognized when it has progressed significantly. The following complications are distinguished:
- constrictionspinal canal;
- overgrowthbone tissue of the vertebrae;
- spondyloarthrosis(thoracic arthrosis, dorsarthrosis);
- inflammationspinal nerve roots;
- vegetative-vasculardystonia.
The nature and severity of complications depend on the timing and accuracy of treatment. At the same time, at a younger age, it is more often possible to avoid the consequences.
prevention methods
As such, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis; it is generally necessary to take care of the spine in order to avoid any changes to it. Therefore, you must follow the following rules:
- do not allowprejudicecolumn. Athletes must carefully calibrate the load and wear sport belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose work involves physical activity need to strengthen their back muscles to support the spine.
- Run a special complexfitnessexercise. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral discs do not lack the necessary trace elements. In sedentary work, you need to get up at least once an hour and do a little warm-up.
- At the slightest typical sign of spinal diseases (tingling, numbness, low back pain), it is necessary to requestQueryto a neurologist.
It is necessary to take care of the health of the spine, adhere to moderate physical activity, avoid bad habits, eat a balanced diet and drink more fluids. All of this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and the discs between them and keep your spine in good working order for a long time.
Answers to Common Questions
Which doctor are you treating?
At the first symptoms of the onset of the pathology, it is necessary to contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. To prescribe complex treatment, you will also need to consult a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is a hematoma, trauma, fractures), an osteopath (determines the area of spinal injury), a rheumatologist (inflammation in connective tissue).
How long does an exacerbation last?
The duration of the acute phase can be from 3 to 14 days. In the absence of therapeutic measures, recurrences can be repeated constantly, causing gradual damage to new areas.
In what position to sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the embryo's position. Sleeping on your back is also allowed, but in this case the internal organs can put pressure on the chest area. Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck pain.