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 the event that a different 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, that is, their dystrophic and degenerative changes occur. The basis is the violation of metabolic processes in the tissues of the discs. Also, there is a change in the structure of the vertebrae themselves.
The eligibility to use the term "osteochondrosis of the spine" is now disputed, as well as to rule out all back pain to 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 as often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If the 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 deceased
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the rarest form of unnatural changes in the spine. The fact is that, 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, as the thoracic spine is reinforced with ribs.
Symptoms are often similar to those of heart disease, as well as diseases of the pleura.
Diagnosis is made on the basis of X-rays, CT, 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 for the vertebrae in this area is a prolonged sedentary state.
Such osteochondrosis provokes a change both in the vertebrae and in nearby organs. The onset of the disease is generally mild, without acute pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its peculiarity of personifying other diseases.
Very often, this pathology can be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- diseasesGastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- diseaseshearts;
- inflammationappendix;
- renalcolic.
With a full examination, it soon 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 of any type of activity. Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest (OG) occurs in people over 55 years of age, but among young people the first signs of the development of the disease can also be seen. In the sample surveyed by physicians, 38% were men and 62% women.
The initial stage of HO occurs in 71% of the 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 has multiple relapses, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdiscsso they lose flexibility and elasticity. At this stage, the discs are gradually flattened and modified, they can still withstand the load, but the person already feels unpleasant sensations.
- Dehydrated crackingfibrousdisc rings. When the position of the body changes, a pronounced pain is felt.
- The hollowthe outer layer of the disc, the nucleus pulposus comes out, forming a hernia, touching the nerve roots that extend from the spine, in such a situation, sharp pain occurs.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- Disease1 degreediagnosed with a ruptured intervertebral disc, when there is a sharp pain in the sternum, comparable to an electric shock, while the muscles are extremely tense.
- 2nd gradecharacterized by the appearance of disc protrusion, when part of it begins to press on the nerve roots, but the nucleus pulposus remains intact and does not come out. This degree of osteochondrosis proceeds 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 of the limbs, severe headaches, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to general poor 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, a suitable treatment method is selected.
Causes
Osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, but the most common:
- Excessiveweightbody. The spine cannot constantly bear too much weight.
- Incorrectnutrition.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 vertebrae gradually wear out. In addition, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, intervertebral discs suffer, which lack these important micronutrients.
- Of smoking.Tobacco use alters metabolic processes in the body and this has a significant effect on the state of the intervertebral discs.
- Violationposition.A systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which, in turn, provokes osteochondrosis.
- SedentaryLifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of physical activity cause the muscles of the body to lose their tone. They relax and cannot fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Physical increaseload.Most of the time they happen to professional athletes, however, in everyday conditions such situations exist. If a powerful effect is exerted on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of bumps and hernias.
- Geneticpredisposition. Very often, similar pathological disorders are found in the vertebrae and discs in close relatives.
- Agechanges. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give the intervertebral discs elasticity. The bone tissue becomes porous and brittle, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deforming.
- Traumaback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not pass without a trace and leads to transformations in the vertebrae.
Also, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can become an impetus for the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Since 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 betweenribs
- pain on topextremitiesaccompanied by a sensation of tingling and numbness;
- pain deepbreathing;
- pain when tryinglift uphand;
- inability to commit by the body of the bodyinclinationin one direction or another;
- seizuresin the muscles;
- pallorskin due to improper functioning of nerve endings;
- sensationlumbagobehind.
Pain attacks increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature, when turning the body.
Since the pain can radiate to the front of the upper sternum, it is often mistaken for pain in the heart.
| Vertebra no. | What parts of the body is 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 problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Stools, digestive disorders, ulcers and diabetes. |
| D8 | Diaphragm, spleen | Weakened immune system, allergies. |
| D9 | Kidney 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 genital organs, problems with stool and digestion. |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be observed: dorsagus and dorsalgia.
Dorsago is a syndrome that is accompanied by sudden, sharp, severe pain in the sternum. Inhalation, exhalation and habitual attempts to turn the body in one direction or another are accompanied by painful sensations. This syndrome often occurs in people who must spend a lot of time in one position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia: unlike dorsagus, it develops imperceptibly, for about a month. It is characterized by throbbing pain and discomfort in the chest. Pain increases in the dark, with deep breathing and an uncomfortable body position.
| Where it hurts? | How it manifests |
|---|---|
| Breast | You feel constriction in the back and chest, it becomes difficult to breathe, you feel pain when breathing and stooping, sometimes it is felt in the region of the heart and the left sternum |
| Neck | Hands become numb, voice becomes hoarse, breathing is difficult, head hurts, dizziness, sight and hearing are dropping |
| Lumbar region | Cold feet syndrome, lower extremity spasms, increased sweating, abnormalities in the genitourinary system, low back pain, dull or sharp |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationpackagein the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus, if the disease affects the upper chest;
- symptompancreatitischolecystitis occurs when the middle thoracic region is affected;
- pathologybowelsis able to simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic region;
- intercostalneuralgia,Derived from the infringement of the roots of the intercostal nerve, the pain in this case is of the herpes zoster type. 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 observed simultaneously, and they change depending on the stage of thoracic osteochondrosis.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Pain less often strong, more often mild | Strong to unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Long: a day or more | Several hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between shoulder blades | Neck, behind the breastbone | Neck, behind the breastbone |
Diagnosis
The main methods of diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- Bone scan.In the images obtained with its help, the following signs usually appear: an altered shape of the vertebral body; the presence of bone growths; reduced height of the intervertebral discs; uneven contours of the plates; thinning of the spinal canal; Degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- Computertomography. In difficult cases, it is necessary to obtain a complete 3D model of the spine.
- Neurophysiologicalexam. Tendon reflexes are evaluated as well as muscular nerve conduction (electroneuromyography).
- Studybloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
Since thoracic osteochondrosis is quite difficult to diagnose, you need to know its main symptoms in order to consult a doctor in time.
First aid for exacerbation.
If it is necessary to get rid of an attack in a short time, experts recommend following a number of recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to warm the area in which the pain syndrome manifests itself. For this, it is better to use special medicinal ointments. Doctors advise against the use of herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of a severe burn. A woolen shawl or scarf works best for a warm compress.
Next, you need to adopt a body position that does not provoke the manifestation of unpleasant sensations. It is advisable to lie on a hard surface such as the floor.
At the time of an exacerbation, a tight bandage should be applied to the chest.
Taking a medicine that has an analgesic effect will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If, after 60 minutes, the state of health does not improve, you must call an ambulance. When the doctor arrives, they need to be informed about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatoryNon-steroidal drugs: help to suppress inflammation and relieve pain. Hormonal preparations are added if necessary.
- Muscle relaxants- relax muscles that are in tension.
- Sedativesmedications - to reduce anxiety and irritability caused by constant pain.
- Diureticmedicines to relieve swelling.
- Medicinesto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Prescription drugs to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissues: insufficient evidence base, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncture specialists can relieve pain in osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Handbooktherapy. An experienced chiropractor can improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- Massage.It is permissible to use this method of treatment in the absence of a herniated disc.
- Ultrasonictherapy.
- Electromagnetictherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Extension.Thanks to this method, the muscles and the 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 doesn't work or a herniated disc has formed, surgery is rarely required.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotectors: jellied meat, jelly, puddings, strong cooked broths of lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is essential to maintain the health of the spine. This type of activity allows you to evenly distribute the load throughout the body, helps to align 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 method of recovery is excluded while an exacerbation occurs.
Physiotherapy
If first-degree thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed, regular exercise will allow you to cope with the problem without resorting to drugs. Also, to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to perform gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to perform the following exercises on a daily basis:
- lean the body forward, while alternately bending the lower extremities;
- bend to the sides by taking turns raising your hands;
- simultaneously raise the upper and lower extremities in a prone position;
- Lean your body forward, reaching for the foot on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. It is allowed to make 3 approaches.
Experts give another series of exercises:
- Take a standing position. Raise your arms when you inhale and lower them when you exhale.
- Sit in a chair with a back. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that your shoulder blades are as close to each other as possible. Slightly bend your lower back.
- Get on all fours. Raise the right leg and left arm off the ground, stretch and withdraw. In this position, you need to stay for 15 seconds. After that, take the starting position and do the same with the opposite limbs.
- Do the "cat" exercise. To do this, you also need to take a position, stand on all fours, bend your lower back, and bend up.
Each should be done 15 to 20 times. If during any exercise painful sensations appear, it is better not to do it.
Once the muscular corset becomes stronger, the specialist will recommend moving on 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 classes.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the appearance 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;
- overgrowthbone tissue of the vertebrae;
- spondyloarthrosis(thoracoarthrosis, dorsarthrosis);
- inflammationnerve roots of the spine;
- vegetative-vasculardystonia
The nature and severity of complications depend on the timeliness and correctness of the treatment. At the same time, at a younger age, more often it is possible to avoid the consequences.
Prevention methods
As such, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis; general care of the spine is necessary to prevent any changes in it. Therefore, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Do not allowinjuryspine. Athletes should carefully calibrate the load and wear sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose work involves physical activity need to strengthen their back muscles to support the spine.
- Make 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. When doing sedentary work, you need to get up at least once an hour and do a little warm-up.
- At the slightest typical signs of spinal diseases (tingling, numbness, lumbago), you should requestqueryto a neurologist.
It is necessary to take care of the health of the spine, adhere to a moderate physical activity, avoid bad habits, eat a balanced diet and drink more fluids. All of this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and the discs between them and keep the spine in good working order for a long time.
Answers to frequently asked questions
What doctor are you treating?
At the first symptoms of the manifestation of pathology, you should contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. To prescribe complex treatment, you will also need a consultation with a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is a hematoma, trauma, fractures), an osteopath (determines the area of the spinal injury), a rheumatologist (inflammation in 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 be constantly repeated, gradually causing damage to new areas.
In what position to sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the position of the embryo. Sleeping on your back is also allowed, but in this case, the internal organs can put pressure on the thoracic region. Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck pain.