The human spine is literally its support. It is designed to withstand heavy loads. In case another type of negative impact is made on the body, thoracic osteochondrosis develops.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral discs lose elasticity, resilience and strength, ie 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 suitability of using the term "osteochondrosis of the spine", as well as writing off all back pain on this problem, is now being disputed.
In the International Classification of Diseases 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 the pain occurs in the left side of the chest, even if it is intensified by inspiration, associated with movement, electrocardiography is mandatory to exclude acute coronary syndrome.
What is a disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the rarest form of unnatural changes in the spine. The fact is that, unlike the lumbar and cervical region, the thoracic spine is supported and strengthened by ribs.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common than other forms of this condition, because the thoracic spine is strengthened with ribs.
The symptoms are often similar to those of heart disease as well as pleural disease.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of X-rays, CT, MRI. Treatment was chosen to alleviate the symptoms and prevent further degradation of the spinal cartilage.
Even significant loads cause minimal damage to the vertebrae in this area. However, the main danger for vertebrae in this area is prolonged sitting.
Such osteochondrosis causes a change in both the vertebrae and nearby organs. The onset of the disease is generally mild, with no severe pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its peculiarity to mimic other diseases.
Often this pathology can be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- diseasesGastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- diseaseshearts;
- inflammationsupplement;
- renalcolic.
A comprehensive examination soon reveals that the symptoms of other diseases have not been confirmed, while there are clear signs of one of the degrees of osteochondrosis.
Prevalence of disease
The risk group includes workers of any type of activity. Osteochondrosis of the chest (GO) most often occurs in people older than 55, but the first signs of the development of the disease can also be noticed in young people. In the sample surveyed by physicians, 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. One. in a large number of cases, within a year, one person has multiple relapses, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdiscs,due to which they lose flexibility and elasticity. At this stage, the discs are gradually flattened and modified, they are still able to withstand the load, but the person is already feeling unpleasant sensations.
- Cracking dehydratedfibrousdisc rings. When you change the position of the body, you feel pronounced pain.
- Methe outer shell of the disc exits the nucleus pulposus, forming a hernia, which touches the roots of the nerves extending from the spine, in such a situation there is sharp pain.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening, and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several stages:
- Illness1 degreediagnosed 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 the part 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.
- At3 degreesthe pain is permanent, because the nerve endings are subject to constant irritation. In this phase, numbness of the limbs, severe headaches, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to general poor health.
- At4 degreesirreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification, the spine loses its mobility at this point.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, the appropriate method of treatment is chosen.
Causes
Osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, but the most common are:
- Exaggeratedweightbody. The spinal column is not able to constantly withstand excessive weight.
- Wrongnutrition.Due to the low consumption of food that contains calcium and the simultaneous consumption of food, which causes it to be flushed out of the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae are gradually worn out. In addition, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral discs, which lack these important micronutrients, suffer.
- Smoking.The use of tobacco disrupts metabolic processes in the body, and this significantly affects the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- Violationholding.Systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which in turn causes osteochondrosis.
- SedentaryLifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of any physical activity cause the muscles of the body to lose tone. They relax and cannot fully support the spine, which is why it bends.
- Increased physicalload.They most often happen to professional athletes, however, there are such situations in everyday conditions. If a strong effect is performed on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the spine, the formation of protrusions and hernias.
- Geneticallypredisposition. Often, similar pathological disorders in the vertebrae and discs are found in close relatives.
- Agechanges. With age, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give elasticity to intervertebral discs. Bone tissue becomes porous and brittle, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformations.
- Traumaback. Even a minor spinal injury does not go unnoticed and leads to transformations in the spine.
In addition, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can become a stimulus for the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Because 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 in betweenribs;
- pain in the upper partlimbs,accompanied by a burning sensation and numbness;
- pain in depthbreathing;
- pain on attemptraisehand;
- impossibility of execution by body corpusslopein one direction or another;
- convulsionsin muscles;
- pallorskin due to improper functioning of nerve endings;
- sensationlumbagobehind.
Attacks of pain intensify at night, with a decrease in body temperature, when turning the body.
Because pain can radiate to the anterior upper sternum, it is often confused with heart pain.
| Vertebra no. | With which parts of the body is it connected | What causes it |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmia |
| D2 | Palms, wrists, hands | Pain in chest, palms and hands |
| 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 | Stool, indigestion, 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, urination problems |
| D12 | Ovaries, inguinal rings, large and small intestine | Infertility, genital diseases, stool and digestive problems |
In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be observed - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago syndrome is accompanied by severe, sharp and sudden pain in the sternum. The usual inhaling, exhaling, and attempts to turn the body in one direction or another are accompanied by painful feelings. This syndrome often occurs in people who have to spend a long time in one position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - unlike dorsalgia, develops imperceptibly, about a month. It is characterized by pulsating pain and discomfort in the chest. The pain intensifies in the dark, with deep breathing and uncomfortable body position.
| Where does it hurt? | How it manifests |
|---|---|
| Breasts | There is tightness in the back and chest, difficulty breathing, pain when breathing and bending, sometimes felt in the heart and left sternum |
| Neck | Hands numb, voice hoarse, breathing difficult, headache, dizziness, vision and hearing decline |
| Little back | Cold foot syndrome, lower extremity cramps, increased sweating, abnormalities in the genitourinary system, lower back pain - dull or acute |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationlumpin the throat, pains in the larynx and esophagus, occur if the disease affects the upper part of the chest;
- symptomspancreatitis,cholecystitis occurs when the middle thoracic region is affected;
- pathologyintestinescan simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic part;
- intercostalneuralgia,resulting from injury to the intercostal nerve root, 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 symptoms can be noticed at the same time, which change depending on the stage of osteochondrosis of the chest.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Rarely strong, more often mild pain | Strong to unbearable | Poor |
| Duration | Long: a day or more | A few hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between shoulder blades | Neck, behind the sternum | Neck, behind the sternum |
Diagnosis
The main methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- x-ray.In the images obtained with its help there are usually the following signs: altered shape of the vertebral body; the presence of bony outgrowths; reduced height of 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 get a full-fledged 3D model of the spine.
- Neurophysiologicalreview. Tendon reflexes as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography) are assessed.
- Studybloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
Since osteochondrosis of the chest is quite difficult to diagnose, you should know its primary symptoms in order to consult a doctor in time.
First aid for exacerbation
If it is necessary to get rid of the attack in a short time, experts recommend following a number of recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to warm the area where the pain syndrome is manifested. For this it is better to use special medicated ointments. Doctors explicitly advise you not to use herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of severe burns. A wool scarf or shawl is best suited for warming the lining.
Then you have to take a body position that will not cause unpleasant sensations. It is recommended to lie on a hard surface such as the floor.
At the time of exacerbation, a tight bandage should be placed on the chest.
Taking a drug with analgesic action will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If the health condition does not improve after 60 minutes, it is necessary to call an ambulance. When the doctor comes, he needs to be told about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a number of procedures:
- Anti-inflammatorynon-steroidal drugs - help suppress inflammation and relieve pain. If necessary, hormonal preparations are added.
- Muscle relaxants- Relax your tense muscles.
- Sedativesmedications - 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.Acupuncturists can relieve the pain of osteochondrosis by affecting certain areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manualtherapy. An experienced chiropractor can improve blood circulation, alleviate muscle spasm and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- Massage.The use of this method of treatment in the absence of a herniated disc is allowed.
- Ultrasonictherapy.
- Electromagnetictherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Stretching.Thanks to this method, the muscles and spine are stretched to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, leads to decompression of the nerve endings, while the inflammatory process is eliminated, the pain disappears and the local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment does not work or a herniated disc forms, surgery is rarely needed.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotectors - jellies, jellies, puddings, strong soups cooked from lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is necessary to maintain the health of the spine. This type of activity allows you to evenly distribute the load throughout the body, helps to straighten the spine, strengthen the back muscles and generally improve the health of the body. However, it is worth remembering that in the presence of a hernia, such a way of recovery is excluded while it is getting worse.
Physiotherapy
If you are diagnosed with 1st degree osteochondrosis of the chest, regular exercise will allow you to deal with the problem without resorting to medication. In addition, in order to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to perform gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises every day:
- lean your body forward while alternately bending your lower limbs;
- perform side bends alternately raising your arms;
- lift the upper and lower limbs in a supine position at the same time;
- lean your body forward, reaching your hands to the feet on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. It is allowed to do 3 approaches.
Experts give another set of exercises:
- Take a standing position. Raise your arms as you inhale, and lower them as you exhale.
- Sit on a chair with a backrest. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that your shoulders are as close to each other as possible. Bend your lower back slightly.
- Stand on all fours. Lift your right leg and left arm off the floor, straighten up and pull. You must stay in this position for 15 seconds. Then 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, bend at the lower back and bend upwards.
Each must be done 15-20 times. If painful feelings appear during any exercise, it is better not to do it.
Once the muscular corset becomes stronger, the expert will recommend switching to more complex exercises.
It must be borne in mind that during the period of worsening of the disease, the load should be minimal, but you should not leave school completely.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the onset 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:
- tighteningspinal canal;
- overgrowthvertebral bone tissue;
- spondyloarthritis(thoracoarthrosis, dorsarthrosis);
- inflammationspinal nerve roots;
- vegetative-vasculardystonia.
The nature and severity of complications depend on the timeliness and correctness 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 special prevention of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to generally take care of the spine to prevent any changes in it. Therefore, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Do not allowinjuryspine. Athletes must carefully calibrate the load and use sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose work involves physical activity must strengthen their back muscles to support the spine.
- Perform a special complexgymnasticexercises. 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. For sedentary work, it is necessary to get up at least once an hour and warm up a bit.
- At the slightest signs typical of spinal diseases (tingling, numbness, lumbago) you need to apply forconsultationsat 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, drink more fluids. All this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and the discs between them and keep the spine in proper condition for a long time.
Answer common questions
Which doctor is treating?
At the first symptoms of the pathology, it is necessary to contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. To prescribe a complex treatment, you will additionally need to consult a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is bruising, trauma, fractures), an osteopath (determines the area of the spinal lesion), a rheumatologist (inflammation of the 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, relapses can recur repeatedly, causing gradual damage to new areas.
In what position to sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the embryo position. Sleeping on the back is also allowed, but in that case the internal organs can put pressure on the thoracic part. Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck pain.