The human spine is in the literal sense of the word its support. It is designed in such a way that it can withstand heavy loads. In cases when different types of negative influences are given on the body, thoracic osteochondrosis develops.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, resilience and strength, in other words, dystrophic and degenerative changes occur. Its basis is a violation of metabolic processes in disc tissue. In addition, there are changes in the structure of the vertebrae themselves.
The eligibility of using the term "spinal osteochondrosis" is now disputed, as well as eliminating all back pain for this problem.
In the 10th revision international classification of diseases nosological unit "osteochondrosis" is not, but the term still exists among physicians.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine do not develop so often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If pain occurs on 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 most rare form of abnormal change in the spine. The fact is, in contrast to the lumbar and cervical regions, the thoracic region of the 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 reinforced with ribs.
The symptoms are often similar to heart disease, as well as pleural disease.
Diagnosis is made based on X-ray, CT, MRI. Treatment is chosen to relieve symptoms and prevent further deterioration 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 prolonged sedentary state.
Such osteochondrosis causes changes both in the vertebrae themselves and in nearby organs. The onset of the disease is usually mild, without sharp pain. At the same time, it is very difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region because of its peculiarity to disguise as another disease.
Often, this pathology can be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- diseaseGastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcers, colitis);
- diseaseheart;
- inflammationattachment;
- kidneycolic.
With a comprehensive examination, it soon turned out that the symptoms of other diseases were not confirmed, while there were obvious signs of one of the stages of osteochondrosis.
Prevalence of disease
Risk groups include employees of any type of activity. Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest (GO) occurs in people over the age of 55, but among young people, you can also see the first signs of the development of the disease. In the sample reviewed by physicians, 38% were male and 62% were female.
The early stages of HO occurred in 71% of those studied. Osteochondrosis is the most common cause of disability in the working population. There are 33 to 165 cases for every 100 employees a year. That. in many cases, within a year, a person suffers repeatedly, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdisk,because of what 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 already feels an unpleasant sensation.
- Dehydration cracksfibrousdisc ring. When the position of the body changes, significant pain is felt.
- The abyssthe outer shell of the disc, the nucleus pulposus coming out, forming a hernia, which touches the nerve roots extending from the spine, in such cases, a sharp pain occurs.
- convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, horizontal and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- disease1 degreediagnosed with rupture of the intervertebral disc, when sharp pain occurs in the sternum, comparable to electric shock, while the muscles are very tense.
- 2nd degreecharacterized by the appearance of a disc protrusion, when part of it begins to press on the nerve root, but the nucleus pulposus remains intact and does not come out. This stage of osteochondrosis persists in persistent severity and remission.
- On3 degreesthe pain is permanent, as the nerve endings are subject to constant irritation. At this stage, there is numbness in the limbs, severe headaches, arrhythmias, insomnia, increased anxiety due to poor health.
- On4 degreesirreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their concentration and modification, the spine loses its mobility in this place.
Depending on the stage and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, the appropriate method of treatment is selected.
cause
Osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, but the most common are:
- Excessivebody weightbody. The spine cannot always support too much weight.
- wrongnutrition.Due to the small consumption of foods containing calcium and the simultaneous consumption of food, which causes its leaching from the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The spine gradually wears out. In addition, if the diet lacks sufficient amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral disc suffers, which lacks this important micronutrient.
- Smoking.Tobacco use disrupts metabolic processes in the body, and this has a significant effect on the condition of the intervertebral disc.
- Violationbody posture.Systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which, in turn, gives rise to 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 are unable to fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Physical improvementloading.Often it happens to professional athletes, however, in everyday situations there are such situations. If a strong impact is given on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of protrusions and hernias.
- geneticstendency. Often, similar pathological disorders in the vertebrae and discs are found in close relatives.
- agechange. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give elasticity to the intervertebral disc. Bone tissue becomes porous and brittle, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformation.
- Traumaback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not pass without leaving an impact and provokes a transformation in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can be the impetus for the development of osteochondrosis.
symptoms
Because thoracic osteochondrosis is similar in symptomatology to many other diseases, it is quite difficult to distinguish its symptoms. However, doctors agree that obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be considered:
- pain betweenribs;
- pain in the upper partbody parts,accompanied by tingling and numbness;
- deep painrespiration;
- hurts when tryingto increasehands;
- inability to perform by the corpus of the bodyinclinedin one direction or another;
- seizuresin muscles;
- paleskin due to improper function of nerve endings;
- sensationback painbehind.
Pain attacks increase 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 pain in the heart.
| Vertebra no. | What part of the body is associated with | What causes |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmias |
| D2 | Palms, wrists, hands | Pain in chest, palms and arms |
| D3 | Chest, pleura, lungs, bronchi | Pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, bronchitis |
| D4 | Bile ducts and bladder | Jaundice, gallstones |
| D5 | Solar plexus | Jaundice, poor blood clotting |
| D6 | heart | Ulcers, gastritis, digestive problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Feces, indigestion, ulcers and diabetes |
| D8 | Diaphragm, spleen | Weak immune system, allergies |
| D9 | The adrenal glands | Weakness, fatigue, kidney problems |
| D10 | kidney | Infertility, digestive problems, diseases of the female genital organs |
| D11 | Ureter | Kidney disease, urinary problems |
| D12 | Fallopian tube, inguinal ring, colon and small intestine | Infertility, genital diseases, problems with stool and digestion |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be observed - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago is a syndrome accompanied by severe, sharp and sudden pain in the sternum. Regular inhalation, exhalation and attempts to turn the body in one direction or the other are accompanied by a painful sensation. This syndrome often occurs in people who must spend a long time in one position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - unlike dorsago, it develops invisibly, for about a month. It is characterized by throbbing pain and chest discomfort. The pain increased in the dark, with deep breathing and uncomfortable body position.
| Where does it hurt? | How real it is |
|---|---|
| breasts | Narrowing is felt in the back and chest, it becomes difficult to breathe, pain is felt when breathing and bending, sometimes felt in the heart area and left sternum. |
| Neck | Numbness of hands, hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, decreased vision and hearing |
| Small back | Cold foot syndrome, cramps in the lower legs, increased sweating, abnormalities in the genitourinary system, lower back pain - dull or acute |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationlumpsin 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 thoracic region is affected;
- pathologyususable to simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic region;
- intercostalneuralgia,arising from a violation of the intercostal nerve root, the pain in this case is of the nature of shingles. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of internal organs;
- pulmonarysyndrome - expressed by symptoms of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
During the course of the disease, both some and almost all symptoms can be observed simultaneously, and it changes depending on the stage of chest osteochondrosis.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Less often strong, more often mild pain | Strong to Uninsured | Weak |
| Period | Duration: a day or more | A few hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, posterior, area between shoulder blades | Neck, behind the sternum | Neck, behind the sternum |
Diagnostics
The main methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- X-ray.In images obtained with its help, there are usually the following signs: altered vertebral body shape; the presence of bone growth; reducing the height of the intervertebral disc; uneven plate contours; thinning of the spinal canal; degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- Computertomography. It is necessary in difficult cases to obtain a full 3D model of the spinal column.
- Neurophysiologyexamination. Tendon reflexes are assessed, as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography).
- Studybloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
Since chest osteochondrosis is quite difficult to diagnose, you should know its main symptoms in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
First aid for exacerbations
If it is necessary to get rid of the attack in a short time, experts recommend to adhere to some recommendations.
First of all, the area where the pain syndrome manifests itself needs to be heated. For this, it is better to use special medical ointments. Doctors strongly advise not to use herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of serious burns. Fur shawls or shawls are best suited for warming compresses.
Next, you need to take a body position that will not trigger the manifestation of unpleasant sensations. It is advisable to lie on a hard surface such as a floor.
In times of exacerbation, tight bandages should be applied to the chest.
Taking medications with analgesic effects will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If, after 60 minutes, the health condition does not improve, you need to call an ambulance. When the doctor arrives, he or she needs to be told about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatorynon -steroidal drugs - help suppress inflammation and relieve pain. Hormone preparations are added if necessary.
- Relax your muscles- relax muscles that are tense.
- Sedativedrug - to reduce anxiety and irritation caused by constant pain.
- Diureticsmedicine to relieve swelling.
- Medicationsto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Drugs prescribed to accelerate the regrowth of cartilage tissue - the basis of insufficient evidence, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncturists are able to relieve pain in osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manualtherapy. An experienced chiropractor can improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and stop the progression of osteochondrosis.
- massage.It is permissible to use this method of treatment in the absence of a herniated disc.
- Ultrasonictherapy.
- Electromagnettherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Stretches.Thanks to this method, the muscles and spine are stretched up to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, leads to decompression of nerve endings, while the inflammatory process is eliminated, pain disappears and local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment is ineffective or a herniated disc has formed, surgery is rarely needed.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotectors - meat jellies, jellies, puddings, strong soups cooked from lamb and beef.
All doctors say swimming is important for maintaining a healthy spine. This type of activity allows you to distribute the load evenly throughout the body, helps align the spine, strengthens the back muscles and generally improves the health of the body. However, it should be noted that in the presence of a hernia, such methods of rehabilitation are excluded while deterioration is taking place.
Physiotherapy
If stage 1 chest osteochondrosis is diagnosed, regular exercise will allow you to overcome the problem without the use of medications. In addition, to achieve positive results, it is recommended to do gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat this disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises every day:
- tilt the body forward, while bending the lower limbs alternately;
- make a side bend by taking turns raising your hands;
- simultaneously raise the upper and lower limbs in a prone position;
- tilt the body forward, reaching with your hands to the legs located on the opposite side.
Each exercise was 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 your back. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that the shoulder blades are as close as possible to each other. Bend the lower back slightly.
- Crawling. Lift the right leg and left arm off the floor, straighten and lift. In this position, you need to linger for 15 seconds. After that, take the starting position and do the same on the opposite member.
- Do the "cat" exercise. To do this, you also need to take a position, stand on all fours, bend at the lower back and bend upwards.
Each must be done 15-20 times. If during training any painful sensations appear, it is better not to do it.
After the muscular corset becomes stronger, experts will recommend switching to more complex exercises.
Keep in mind that during the period of exacerbation of the disease, the load should be minimal, but you can not completely leave the class.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, because at first the disease is latent and asymptomatic, it can be recognized when it has developed significantly. The following complications are distinguished:
- narrowingspinal canal;
- outrageousvertebral bone tissue;
- spondyloarthrosis(thoracoarthrosis, dorsarthrosis);
- inflammationspinal column nerve roots;
- 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 often possible to avoid the consequences.
Methods of prevention
Thus, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis; it is necessary to take care of the spine in general to avoid any changes in it. Therefore, you must adhere to the following rules:
- To disallowinjuriesbackbone. Athletes need to calibrate the load carefully 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.
- Do a typical complexgymnasticsexercise. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral disc does not suffer from a lack of necessary trace elements. When working sedentarily, you need to get up at least once an hour and do a little warm-up.
- With a few special signs of spinal disease (tingling, numbness, lumbago), you need to applyconsultationto a neurologist.
It is necessary to maintain a healthy spine, adhere to moderate physical activity, avoid bad habits, eat a balanced diet, and drink more fluids. All this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and the discs between them and keep the spine in working order for a long time.
Answers to common questions
Which doctor is treating?
At the first symptoms of pathological manifestations, you should contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. To prescribe a complex treatment, you also need a consultation with a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is bruises, trauma, fractures), osteopath (determine the area of lesions of the spine), rheumatologist (inflammation of the spine). 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 be repeated continuously, causing gradual damage to new areas.
What is the position to sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the position of the embryo. It is also allowed to sleep on your back, but in this case, the internal organs can put pressure on the thoracic area. Sleep deprivation can cause pain in your neck.