The human spine is literally its backbone. Designed to withstand heavy loads. If it has a different adverse effect on the body, thoracic osteochondrosis develops.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, resilience and strength, in other words, they have dystrophic and degenerative changes. The main thing is the disruption of metabolic processes in the tissues of the discs. In addition, there is a change in the structure of the vertebrae.
The appropriateness of using the term "osteochondrosis of the spine" is now controversial, as well as writing all the back pain to this problem.
The nosological section of the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases is not "osteochondrosis, " but the term still exists among physicians.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine do not develop very often and may mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If the pain occurs on the left side of the chest, even if it is exacerbated by inspiration, electrocardiography is mandatory to rule out motion-related, acute coronary syndrome.
What is the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the rarest form of abnormal changes in the spine. The fact is that, unlike the spine and neck, 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 reinforced with ribs.
Symptoms are often similar to heart disease, as well as pleural disease.
Diagnosis is based on X-ray, CT, MRI. Treatment is chosen to relieve symptoms and prevent further degradation of spinal cartilage.
Even significant loads cause minimal damage to the vertebrae in this area. However, the main danger for the vertebrae in this area is a long-term sedentary position.
Such osteochondrosis causes changes in both the vertebrae themselves and nearby organs. The onset of the disease is generally mild, there is no sharp pain. At the same time, it is very difficult to diagnose osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, because it has the ability to mimic other diseases.
It can often be confused with pathological:
- angina pectoris;
- diseasesOf the gastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcers, colitis);
- diseaseshearts;
- inflammationadditional;
- kidneycolic.
A thorough examination soon reveals that while there are clear signs of one degree of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of other diseases are not confirmed.
The spread of the disease
The risk group includes all types of employees. Chest osteochondrosis (GO) most often occurs in people over the age of 55, but you can also see the first signs of the disease among young people. In the sample surveyed by doctors, 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 among the working population. There are 33-165 incidents per 100 employees per year. These are. In many cases, a person relapses several times a year, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdisks,because they lose their elasticity and resilience. At this stage, the discs are gradually repaired and replaced, they can still withstand the load, but the person already feels unpleasant sensations.
- Dehydrated crackingfibrousdisc rings. When the position of the body changes, sharp pain is felt.
- Spacethe outer shell of the disc, the pulposus nucleus, emerges, forming a hernia that touches the nerve roots extending from the spine, in which case severe pain occurs.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- Illness1 degreediagnosed with an intervertebral disc herniation, when there is a sharp pain in the sternum that can be compared to an electric shock, the muscles are very tense.
- 2nd degreeis characterized by the appearance of a disc protrusion, part of which begins to press on the nerve roots, but the pulposus nucleus is still intact and does not come out. This degree of osteochondrosis continues with exacerbations and constant changes in remissions.
- At3 degreesthe pain is permanent because the nerve endings are constantly irritated. At this stage, numbness of the limbs, severe headaches, arrhythmias, insomnia, increased nervousness due to general health are observed.
- At4 degreesIrreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification, the spine loses mobility here.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, the appropriate treatment is selected.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis occurs for a number of reasons, but the most common are:
- More than enoughweightbody. The spine cannot withstand a lot of weight continuously.
- Wrongnutrition.Consumption of small amounts of calcium-containing foods and simultaneous intake of food causes its leaching from the body, destroying bone tissue. The vertebrae gradually wear out. In addition, if the diet does not have enough saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, intervertebral discs suffer from deprivation of these important micronutrients.
- To smoke.Tobacco use disrupts metabolic processes in the body, which significantly affects the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- pozuntuposture.Systematic disruption of the normal state of the spine leads to scoliosis, which in turn provokes osteochondrosis.
- Sit downLife style. Sedentary work and lack of any physical activity cause the body to lose muscle tone. They relax and cannot fully support the spine, which causes it to bend.
- Increasing physicalload.They often occur in professional athletes, but this happens in everyday situations. If there is a strong impact on the spine, it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of protrusions and hernias.
- Geneticinclination. Often, similar pathological disorders of the vertebrae and discs occur 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 is porous and brittle, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformation.
- Traumaback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not go unnoticed and causes transformations in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders, hypothermia and infectious diseases in the body can contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Because the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are similar to many other diseases, it is very difficult to distinguish its symptoms. However, doctors agree that the obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be taken into account:
- pain betweenribs;
- pain abovemember,accompanied by tingling and numbness;
- deep painbreathing;
- pain when tryingraisehand;
- inability to be committed by the bodyinclinationin one direction or another;
- convulsionsin the muscles;
- palenessskin due to malfunction of nerve endings;
- sensationlumbaqobehind.
Attacks of pain increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature, as the body rotates.
Because the pain can spread to the anterior and upper regions of the sternum, it is often confused with pain in the heart.
| Vertebra number. | What parts of the body are associated | What is the cause |
|---|---|---|
| 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 problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Fecal, digestive disorders, ulcers and diabetes |
| D8 | Diaphragm, spleen | Weakening of the immune system, allergies |
| D9 | Adrenal glands | Weakness, fatigue, kidney problems |
| D10 | Kidney | Infertility, digestive problems, diseases of the female genital organs |
| D11 | Urinary incontinence | Kidney disease, urinary problems |
| D12 | Fallopian tubes, inguinal rings, colon and small intestine | Infertility, diseases of the genitals, stool and digestive problems |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be observed 2 common syndromes - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago is a syndrome characterized by severe, sharp and sudden pain in the sternum. Ordinary inhalation, exhalation and attempts to turn the body in one direction or another are accompanied by painful sensations. This syndrome often occurs in people who have to stay in one position for a long time, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - Unlike dorsalgia, it develops imperceptibly within about a month. It is characterized by a feeling of pain and discomfort in the chest. The pain increases with darkness, deep breathing and restless body position.
| Where does it hurt? | How it manifests |
|---|---|
| Breast | There is a narrowing of the lower back and chest, difficulty breathing, pain when breathing and bending, and sometimes pain in the heart and left sternum. |
| Neck | Hands numb, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, impaired vision and hearing |
| Small at the back | Cold foot syndrome, spasms of the lower extremities, increased sweating, abnormalities of the genitourinary system, back pain - dull or acute |
Specific and rare symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- sensationroundpain in the throat, larynx and esophagus, occurs if the disease affects the upper chest;
- symptomspancreatitis,cholecystitis occurs when the middle thoracic region is affected;
- pathologyintestinescan simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic region;
- intercostalneuralgia,Occurs as a result of disruption of the roots of the intercostal nerve, in which case the pain becomes shingles in nature. Neuralgia is easy to confuse with many diseases of the internal organs;
- lungssyndrome - is characterized by signs of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
In the course of the disease, both several and almost all symptoms can be observed at the same time, and they vary depending on the stage of osteochondrosis of the chest.
| Amil | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Less intense, more often mild pain | From Strong to Unbearable | Weak |
| Term | Long: a day or more | A few hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between shoulder blades | The neck, behind the sternum | The neck, behind the sternum |
Diagnostics
The main methods of diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- x-ray.Images obtained with its help usually show the following features: altered shape of the vertebral body; presence of bone growths; decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs; uneven contours of slabs; thinning of the spinal canal; degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- Computertomography. In difficult cases, it is necessary to obtain a full-fledged 3D model of the spine.
- Neurophysiologyexamination. Tendon reflexes, as well as muscle nerve conduction (electron oromyography) are assessed.
- To learnbloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
Because osteochondrosis of the chest is very difficult to diagnose, you need to know its main symptoms in order to see a doctor in time.
First aid for exacerbations
If you need to get rid of an attack in the short term, experts recommend following a number of recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to warm the area where the pain syndrome manifests itself. For this it is better to use special medicinal ointments. Doctors strongly recommend the use of herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of severe burns. A wool shawl or scarf is best for a warming compress.
Then you need to take a body position that will not cause unpleasant feelings. It is recommended to sleep on a hard surface such as the floor.
A tight chest bandage should be applied during exacerbation.
Taking a drug that has an analgesic effect will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If your health does not improve after 60 minutes, you should call an ambulance. When the doctor comes, he should be informed about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis involves a set of procedures:
- Anti-inflammatorynon-steroidal drugs - help to suppress inflammation and relieve pain. If necessary, hormonal drugs are added.
- Muscle relaxants- Relax tense muscles.
- Sedativesmedications - to reduce anxiety and irritation caused by constant pain.
- Diureticmedications to relieve swelling.
- Medicationsto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Drugs prescribed to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue - there is not enough evidence base, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncturists can relieve pain in osteochondrosis by affecting certain parts of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manualtherapy. An experienced chiropractor is able to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- Massage.In the absence of a disc herniation, this method of treatment is allowed.
- Ultrasoundtherapy.
- Electromagnettherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Extension.Thanks to this method, the muscles and spine stretch up to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, leads to decompression of nerve endings, while eliminating the inflammatory process, pain disappears and local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment does not work or a disc herniation occurs, surgery is rarely required.
The diet should include foods that contain natural chondroprotectors - jelly meat, jellies, puddings, strong broths made from lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is important to maintain spinal health. This type of activity allows you to distribute the load evenly throughout the body, helps to align the spine, strengthen the back muscles and improve the health of the body in general. However, it should be remembered that in the case of a hernia, such a method of recovery during exacerbation is excluded.
Physiotherapy
If you are diagnosed with grade 1 osteochondrosis of the chest, regular exercise will help you cope with the problem without resorting to medication. In addition, it is recommended to do gymnastics for at least 4 months to get a positive result.
It is recommended to do the following exercises daily to treat the disease:
- bend the body forward while bending the lower limbs in turn;
- raise your hands in turns and bend to the sides;
- at the same time lift the upper and lower extremities in a prone position;
- Bend your body forward with your hands reaching the opposite leg.
Each exercise is repeated 10 times. 3 approaches are allowed.
Experts offer a number of other exercises:
- Stand on your feet. Raise your arms as you breathe in and lower them as you breathe out.
- Sit in the back of the chair. Breathe in and pull your shoulders back so that the shoulder blades are as close together as possible. Bend the lower back slightly.
- Get up on all fours. Lift, straighten and lift the right leg and left arm. In this case, you need to lie down 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, stand on all fours, bend back down and bend upwards.
Each should be done 15-20 times. If you feel pain during any exercise, it is better not to do it.
Once the muscle corset is strengthened, the specialist will recommend more complex exercises.
It should be remembered that the load should be minimal during the exacerbation of the disease, but you should not leave classes completely.
Consequences and complications
Complications associated with thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, as the disease is initially latent and asymptomatic, and can be recognized when it progresses significantly. The following complications are distinguished:
- shrinkspinal canal;
- excessive growthbone tissue of the vertebrae;
- spondyloarthritis(thoracoarthrosis, dorsartrosis);
- inflammationnerve roots of the spine;
- vegetative-vasculardystonia.
The nature and severity of complications depend on the timeliness and accuracy of treatment. At the same time, at a younger age, it is more likely to prevent consequences.
Methods of prevention
Thus, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis, it is generally necessary to care for the spine to prevent any changes in the spine. Therefore, you must follow the following rules:
- Not to allowinjuryspine. Athletes should carefully calibrate the load and use sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People who are physically active need to strengthen their back muscles to support their spine.
- Exercise a special complexgymnasticspractice. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral discs do not suffer from a lack of necessary trace elements. During sedentary work, you should get up at least once an hour and do some warm-up exercises.
- You should consult the slightest symptoms characteristic of spinal diseases (nausea, numbness, back pain). consultationneurologist.
It is necessary to pay attention to the health of the spine, follow moderate physical activity, avoid bad habits, eat a balanced diet and drink more fluids. All this will help to prevent changes in the spine and the discs between them, and keep the spine in working order for a long time.
Answers to common questions
Which doctor treats?
At the first signs of pathological manifestations, you should contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. In addition, you will need to consult a traumatologist (cause of the disease, bruises, trauma, fractures), osteopath (determines the area of damage to the spine), rheumatologist (inflammation) to prescribe a comprehensive treatment. connective tissue).
How long does the exacerbation last?
The duration of the acute phase can be from 3 to 14 days. In the absence of therapeutic measures, relapses can recur constantly, gradually damaging new areas.
In what position should you sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the embryonic position. Lying on your back is also allowed, but in this case, the internal organs may put pressure on the thoracic region. Lying on your stomach can cause pain in your neck.