The human spine is literally its support. It is designed in such a way that it can withstand heavy loads. In the event that another type 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, in other words, their dystrophic and degenerative changes occur. The basis is the violation of metabolic processes in the tissues of the discs. In addition, there is a change in the structure of the vertebrae themselves.
The eligibility of use of the term "osteochondrosis of the spine" is now in dispute, as is the cancellation 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 doctors.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine do not develop so often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If the pain occurs in the left side of the chest, 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 point is, 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 because the thoracic spine is strengthened by ribs.
Symptoms are often similar to heart disease, as well as disease of the pleura.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of x-ray, computed tomography, MRI. Treatment is selected to relieve symptoms and prevent further degradation of the cartilage in the spine.
Even heavy 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.
Such osteochondrosis causes a change in both the vertebrae themselves and neighboring organs. The onset of the disease is usually mild, without acute pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its peculiarity of masquerading as other diseases.
Quite often, this pathology can be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- diseasesDigestive tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- diseaseshearts;
- inflammationAnnex;
- renalcolic.
With a full examination, it quickly turns out that the symptoms of other diseases are not confirmed, while 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 often, thoracic osteochondrosis (GO) occurs in people over the age of 55, but in young people you can also see the first signs of the development of the disease. In the sample surveyed by physicians, 38% were men and 62% were women.
The initial stage of HO occurs in 71% of respondents. Osteochondrosis is the most common cause of disability in the workforce. There are 33 to 165 cases per 100 workers per year. Those. in many cases, within a year, a person relapses multiple times, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdiscs,because of what they lose in flexibility and elasticity. At this stage, the discs are gradually flattened and changed, they are still able to withstand the load, but the person already feels unpleasant sensations.
- Dehydrated crunchfibrousdisc rings. When the position of the body changes, a pronounced pain is felt.
- The holethe outer covering of the disc, the nucleus pulposus comes out, forming a hernia, which affects the nerve roots extending from the spine, in such a situation, sharp pain occurs.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- Sickness1 degreediagnosed with a ruptured intervertebral disc, when a sharp pain occurs in the sternum, comparable to an electric shock, while the muscles are extremely tight.
- 2nd degreecharacterized by the appearance of a 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 takes place in a constant alternation of exacerbations and remissions.
- TO3 degreesthe pains are permanent, as the nerve endings are subject to incessant irritation. At this stage, there is numbness in the limbs, severe headache, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to poor general health.
- TO4 degreesirreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification, the spine loses its mobility in this place.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, an appropriate method of treatment is selected.
Causes
Osteochondrosis occurs for a number of reasons, but the most common:
- Excessiveweightbody. The spine is unable to constantly support too much weight.
- Wrongnutrition.Due to the low intake of foods containing calcium and the simultaneous consumption of foods, which causes their leaching from the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae gradually wear out. In addition, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral discs suffer because they lack these important micronutrients.
- Smoking.The consumption of tobacco disrupts metabolic processes in the body, which has a significant effect on the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- Violationposture.A systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which, in turn, causes osteochondrosis.
- sedentaryWay of life. Sedentary work and lack of physical activity lead to the fact that the muscles of the body lose their tone. They relax and cannot fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Increased physicscharged.Most often they happen to professional athletes, however, in everyday conditions there are such situations. If a strong effect is exerted on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of protrusion and hernia.
- Geneticpredisposition. Quite often, similar pathological disorders in the vertebrae and discs are found in close relatives.
- Agechanges. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give elasticity to the intervertebral discs. Bone tissue becomes porous and brittle, which means the vertebrae are prone to strain.
- Traumaback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not go without leaving a trace and gives rise to changes in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can become an impetus for the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Since thoracic osteochondrosis has similar symptoms to many other diseases, it is quite difficult to distinguish the signs. However, doctors agree that the obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be seen:
- pain betweenribs;
- pain in the upper partmembers,accompanied by a tingling sensation and numbness;
- deep painbreathing;
- pain when tryingto augmenthand;
- inability to commit by the body bodytiltone way or another;
- convulsionsin the muscles;
- pallorskin due to malfunction of nerve endings;
- sensationlumbagoin back.
Pain attacks increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature, when the body rotates.
Since the pain can radiate to the anterior part of the upper sternum, it is often mistaken for pain in the heart.
| Vertebra no. | What parts of the body are associated with | What causes |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmia |
| D2 | Palms, wrists, hands | Pain in the 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 disorders, hepatic 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 the genitals, problems with stool and digestion |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be observed - back pain and back pain.
Dorsago is a syndrome accompanied by severe, sharp, sudden pain in the breastbone. Inhaling, exhaling, and the usual attempts to turn the body one way or another are accompanied by painful sensations. This syndrome often occurs in people who have to stay in a leaning forward position for a long time.
Back pain - unlike back pain, it develops imperceptibly, lasting about a month. It is characterized by shooting pain and chest discomfort. The pain increases in the dark, with deep breathing and an awkward position of the body.
| Where does it hurt? | How does it 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 region of the heart and left breastbone |
| Neck | Hands become numb, voice hoarse, breathing is difficult, head hurts, dizziness, vision and hearing drop |
| Lower back | Cold feet syndrome, lower extremity spasms, increased sweating, abnormalities of the genitourinary system, low back pain - dull or acute |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationpiecein the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus occurs if the disease affects the upper part of the chest;
- symptomspancreatitis,cholecystitis occurs when the middle chest region is affected;
- pathologyintestinesis able to simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic region;
- intercostalneuralgia,resulting from involvement of the roots of the intercostal nerve, the pain in this case is shingles in nature. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of the internal organs;
- pulmonarysyndrome - expressed by symptoms of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
During the course of the disease, several and almost all of the symptoms can be observed simultaneously and they change depending on the stage of thoracic osteochondrosis.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Pain less often severe, more often mild | Strong to unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Long: a day or more | Several hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Site | Left sternum, back, area between the shoulder blades | Neck, behind the breastbone | Neck, behind the breastbone |
Diagnostic
The main methods of diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- X-ray.In the images obtained with its help, as a rule, there are the following signs: an altered shape of the vertebral body; the presence of bone growths; reduced height of the intervertebral discs; irregular contours of the plates; thinning of the spinal canal; degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- Computertomography. It is necessary in difficult cases to obtain a full-fledged 3D model of the spine.
- Neurophysiologicalexam. Tendon reflexes are assessed, as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography).
- To studysome bloodto determine the level of calcium it contains.
Since thoracic osteochondrosis is quite difficult to diagnose, you need to know its main symptoms in order to see a doctor in time.
First aid in case of exacerbation
If it becomes necessary to get rid of an attack in a short time, experts recommend following a number of recommendations.
First of all, the area in which the pain syndrome manifests itself should be warmed up. For this it is better to use special medicinal ointments. Doctors strongly advise against using herbal decoctions, as there is a risk of severe burns. A woolen shawl or scarf works best as a heating pad.
Then you need to adopt a body position that will not provoke the manifestation of unpleasant sensations. It is advisable to lie down on a hard surface such as the floor.
During an exacerbation, a tight bandage should be applied to the chest.
Taking a drug with analgesic effect will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If after 60 minutes the state of health does not improve, you need to call an ambulance. When the doctor arrives, he should be informed about the use of pain relievers.
Processing
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatorynonsteroidal drugs - help suppress inflammation and relieve pain. Hormonal preparations are added if necessary.
- Muscle relaxants- relax tense muscles.
- Sedativesdrugs - to reduce anxiety and irritability caused by constant pain.
- Diureticmedicines to relieve swelling.
- Medicationsto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Drugs prescribed to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue - insufficient evidence base, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncture specialists are able to relieve the pain of osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manualtherapy. An experienced chiropractor is able to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- Massage.It is allowed to use this method of treatment in the absence of a herniated disc.
- Ultrasonictherapy.
- Electromagnetictherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Elongation.Thanks to this method, the muscles and the spine are stretched up to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, leads to the decompression of nerve endings, while the inflammatory process is eliminated, the pain subsides, and local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment doesn't work or a herniated disc has formed, surgery is rarely necessary.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotectors - jellied meat, jelly, puddings, strong broths cooked from lamb and beef.
All doctors say swimming is essential for maintaining a healthy spine. This type of activity allows you to distribute the load evenly throughout the body, helps align the spine, strengthens back muscles, and generally improves the health of the body. However, it should be remembered that in the presence of a hernia, such a method of recovery is excluded during an exacerbation.
Physiotherapy
If 1st degree thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed, regular exercise will allow you to cope with the problem without resorting to medication. In addition, in order to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to practice gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises daily:
- tilt the body forward, alternately bending the lower limbs;
- turn sideways, taking turns raising hands;
- simultaneously lift the upper and lower limbs while lying down;
- tilt the body forward, reaching with your hands the foot on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. It is allowed to make 3 approaches.
Experts offer another set of exercises:
- Take a standing position. Raise your arms as you breathe in and lower them as you breathe out.
- Sit in a chair with a backrest. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that the shoulder blades are as close to each other as possible. Bend your lower back slightly.
- Get on all fours. Lift right leg and left arm off the floor, straighten up and back out. In this position you need to linger 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 take a position, standing on all fours, bending your lower back and bending upwards.
Each should be done 15 to 20 times. If painful sensations appear during exercise, it is better not to do so.
Once the muscle corset has grown stronger, the specialist will recommend switching to more complex exercises.
It should be remembered that during the period of exacerbation of the disease, the load should be minimal, but you should not completely abandon the courses.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, since at first the disease is latent and asymptomatic, it can be recognized when it has progressed significantly. The following complications are distinguished:
- constrictionSpinal canal;
- proliferationbone tissue of the vertebrae;
- spondylarthrosis(thoracoarthrosis, dorsarthrosis);
- inflammationnerve roots of the spine;
- vegetative-vasculardystonia.
The nature and severity of complications depend on the speed 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 for osteochondrosis, usually care needs to be taken of the spine in order to avoid any changes to it. Therefore, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Not allowinjuryspine. Athletes should carefully calibrate the load and use sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose work involves physical activity need to strengthen their back muscles to support the spine.
- Perform a special complexgymnasticexercise. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral discs do not suffer from a lack of the necessary trace elements. In case of sedentary work, you should get up at least once an hour and do a little warm-up.
- At the slightest typical signs of diseases of the spine (tingling, numbness, lumbago), you should make a request forconsultationto a neurologist.
It is necessary to take care of the health of the spine, to engage in moderate physical activity, to avoid bad habits, to eat a balanced diet and to drink more. All this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and discs between them, and keep the spine in working order for a long time.
Answers to Common Questions
Which doctor treats?
At the first symptoms of the manifestation of pathology, you should contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. To prescribe complex treatment, you will additionally need a consultation with a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is bruising, trauma, fractures), an osteopath (determines the area of the spinal injury), a rheumatologist(inflammation in connective tissue).
How long does an exacerbation last?
The duration of the acute phase can range from 3 to 14 days. In the absence of therapeutic measures, relapses can constantly repeat themselves, causing gradual deterioration of new areas.
In what position to sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the embryonic position. It is also allowed to sleep on the back, but in this case the internal organs can put pressure on the chest area. Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck pain.