Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine are a kind of human payment for walking upright. It is known that other mammals do not suffer from osteochondrosis, because their vertebral columns are located horizontally to the surface of the earth. Vertical load during walking leads to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc cartilage tissue and contributes to the displacement of the vertebrae to a dangerous position.
In the thoracic region, such processes occur more rarely than in the sacrum and cervix, but this does not reduce the risk of the disease. This article will discuss in detail the symptoms of symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic area, as well as matters 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. Even so, cases of this disease are often noted by orthopedists and traumatologists in representatives from 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 inactive lifestyles, poor nutrition and general ecological background on the planet.
Women suffer from thoracic osteochondrosis 2-3 times more often than men. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomy and physiology of women. Additional influencing factors are: childbirth, walking on the heels, general weakness of the musculoskeletal apparatus in women.
In both sexes, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region causes painful symptoms and reduces range of motion. The development of pathology is fraught with compression of nerve endings, which inevitably affects the condition of internal organs. Cases of this advanced disease are often accompanied by disturbances in the work of the blood vessels and heart, respiratory problems.
Anatomically, 12 thoracic vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternum into a strong, inactive skeletal structure that protects internal organs from mechanical stress. In the early stages, the disease hardly causes severe symptoms, but at a later stage, the pathological manifestations are so varied that sometimes this prevents an accurate diagnosis. No wonder osteochondrosis is often referred to as "chameleon disease".
The most common causes of thoracic osteochondrosis are injury, muscle weakness, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders, overload on the back, and genetic predisposition. The disease progresses gradually, which, on the one hand, makes it possible to begin treatment in a timely manner and stop the degenerative process, but on the other hand, it prevents the early detection of pathology.
Level of disease
Doctors classify thoracic osteochondrosis according to the stage of development:
Level 1.Intervertebral discs lose their elastic quality, decrease in size, but have not yet moved from their anatomical position.
Level 2.There is a further decrease in disc height, and the spinal space itself loses its stability. Cracks form in the annulus, the discs shift and put pressure on nerve endings, blood vessels and muscles. The second stage is characterized by severe back pain and neurological symptoms.
Level 3.The degenerative process can lead to the development of protrusion and rupture of the fibrosus annulus. In such cases, a herniated disc is diagnosed. The disk loses its protective properties and stops performing its proper anatomical function. The vertebrae themselves also suffer - they unite, collapse and form osteophytes - dangerous bone growth.
In addition to hard tissue, muscles, ligaments and tendons are affected. Muscles get stuck, spasmodic phenomena occur in them. The body seeks to paralyze the affected area as much as possible to reduce pain - this causes muscle congestion and muscle atrophy.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
As already mentioned, in the early stages, thoracic osteochondrosis shows itself to be weak or completely absent. During pathology, periodic pain occurs between the shoulder blades: symptoms increase after physical activity or, conversely, after prolonged rest. Often, the pain bothers the patient in the morning after waking up and weakening within an hour. Sometimes the pain moves along the intercostal nerve, radiating to the chest when coughing, sneezing, or running.
Special marks
At 2-3 stages, the most common symptom of degenerative disc disease in the thoracic region is persistent pain in the interscapular zone. Chest pain is also quite typical: the sensation resembles an attack of angina pectoris with ischemia or heart failure.
The similarity of symptoms with heart disease is the cause of misdiagnosis. However, it is relatively easy to distinguish pain in the degenerative process in the spine from heart symptoms: nitroglycerin and similar drugs that stop angina attacks, with osteochondrosis, do not alleviate the patient's condition at all.
Other characteristic symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Cramps in the muscles of the trunk during deep breathing (dorsalgia) - as if the body were squeezed with loops;
- Dorsago - sharp chest pain (called "lumbago chest");
- Goose bruises and numbness in the hands (in the presence of radicular syndrome);
- Intercostal pain during walking and physical activity (intercostal neuralgia): with inflammation of the nerve endings, the pain becomes persistent;
- Cramps in the back of the thorax;
- It hurts when you raise your hand, twist your trunk and take a deep breath.
The severity of the disease directly affects the intensity of symptoms. For patients therapeutically, it is important not to relieve pain with unconventional drugs and methods (analgesics, antispasmodics, various ointments, compresses and warming bandages), but to visit the clinic and find out the cause of the pain from the doctor. Self-treatment for osteochondrosis is rarely effective, and in some cases even worsens the course of the disease.
Rare Symptoms
Ozeochondrosis of the thoracic zone is often disguised as another pathology, causing their symptoms. This complicates the diagnosis and often leads to inadequate treatment.Atypical manifestations of this disease are very diverse:
- Signs of ischemia, heart attack, heart attack (EKG or other tests should be performed for differential diagnosis);
- Pain reminiscent of breast disease in women: to exclude the presence of neoplasms, you should be examined by a mammologist;
- Pain reminiscent of gastritis, colitis, stomach or intestinal ulcers, hepatitis - to exclude this disease, the diagnosis is set by a gastroenterologist;
- Paroxysmal girdle pain corresponds to kidney colic or other diseases of the urinary system.
Urinary disorders and disorders of the reproductive system may also occur. Women experience anorgasmia, painful and heavy menstruation (menorrhagia), and sometimes infertility. Men have erectile dysfunction. Doctors are not always able to find the real cause of this pathology, and therefore the treatment of reproductive diseases does not provide positive dynamics.
Sometimes with osteochondrosis in the thoracic area, there is a surge of pressure, toothache and headache, sleep disturbances, tinnitus. Psychoemotional disorders are not excluded - irritability, depression, tears, anxiety.
Diagnostics, therapy and prevention
External examinations, palpation, and various motion tests are performed to detect disease. It is important to know in detail from the patient about the duration of the symptoms, their nature, and the manifestations of the corresponding disease.
The following procedure is set:
- X-ray of the spine;
- MRI, CT and abdominal cavity ultrasound (if necessary);
- Blood and urine tests;
- Myelography;
- ECG (to exclude cardiac pathology).
Once the diagnosis is made, the treatment regimen is developed. There is no single protocol for the treatment of osteochondrosis: health procedures depend on the patient's condition, age, physical condition, and immune system status.
The main goal of treatment is to minimize the consequences of degenerative processes in cartilage tissue and prevent the development of complications. Therapy is usually outpatient, except for very severe clinical conditions. Conservative therapy is mostly practiced.
Medicine
Medications are only prescribed for severe pain syndrome and inflammatory processes. It is better to use the drug in the form of external ointments, more rarely tablets are prescribed, intramuscular or epidural injections.
Most Topical Drug Types:
- Analgesics;
- Anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Muscle relaxation and antispasmodics;
- Vitamin complex;
- Steroids.
Experienced therapists will never offer drug-based therapy alone. Once the pain and inflammation subsided, medication was discontinued.
Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage
This method plays a major role in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the thoracic spine. This technique relieves pain, strengthens ligaments and muscles, restores and stimulates blood circulation, metabolic processes.
Popular physiotherapy methods:
- Magnetotherapy;
- Electro- and phonophoresis;
- Laser exposure;
- Amplipulse Therapy;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Paraffin application;
- Kinesio Recording;
- Mud therapy;
- Balneotherapy;
- Hypothermia;
- Hirudotherapy, treatment with bee venom.
The main advantage of physiotherapy is its safety. This procedure can be prescribed at any age, with almost all concomitant diseases. A separate field of physiotherapy is reflexology (acupuncture). The method is effective, but requires the presence of a professional.
Physiotherapy is a mandatory stage in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. Gymnastics strengthens muscles, restores the normal anatomical position of vertebral structures, reduces pressure on nerve endings, and prevents the development of protrusion and intervertebral disc herniation.
Complex exercises should be done regularly and for a long time - only in this case they will produce a significant therapeutic effect. Ideally, the session should be conducted under the guidance of an instructor, as incorrect movements can injure and cause pain.
Massage (manual and hardware effects) has the same therapeutic task as exercise therapy: pain relief, increased blood flow, muscle strengthening. In addition to the effects with the hands of specialists, they practice the use of massage tools, applicators, or orthopedic devices.
Radical Treatment
Surgery for breast osteochondrosis in modern medical institutions is performed in exceptional cases - when there is a real danger of pinching the spinal cord or there is a dangerous bulge and hernia. Spinal surgery is always an added risk, so interventions are rarely performed and are only performed by an experienced surgeon.
Prevention
Preventing disease is much easier than long-term (and sometimes lifelong) therapy. Unfortunately, modern medicine can not reverse the degenerative process, can only reduce the pathological consequences and eliminate acute symptoms.
For this reason, prevention of osteochondrosis should be addressed from an early age. The development of the disease is hindered by: proper body posture, balanced diet, replacement of proper physical activity and rest, sleeping in a comfortable bed. A positive role is played by the timely diagnosis of the disease and the implementation of strict doctor recommendations.