Osteochondrosis is an aging process of the spine and surrounding tissues. Experts replace osteochondrosis with a more accurate term - "degenerative-dystrophic changes". With age, such changes occur in the spine of each person to varying degrees.
In the early stage, osteochondrosis is almost not manifested at all. Back pain means that changes in the spine have already started and are progressing. In the article we will talk about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms and treatment.
Because of its stability, the thoracic region suffers less often than the cervical and lumbar region. Women are more susceptible to thoracic osteochondrosis. Those who spend a lot of time sitting are at risk. Degenerative-dystrophic changes of the spine occur in 30% of people after the age of 35, and in 50-90% of the elderly.
In order not to waste time and avoid the consequences of osteochondrosis, it is important to consult a competent doctor at the first symptoms.
How the spine ages: the mechanism of osteochondrosis development
Vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a nucleus located in the center and a fibrous annulus on the periphery. As we age, the discs receive less oxygen and nutrients, and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. Discs lose strength and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis begins, progresses with an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle and causes complications. Cracks appear on the surface of the fibrous ring and nucleus pulposus rises in them - protrusion and hernia develop. The injury process involves the vertebrae, ligaments, intercostal nerves, muscles and fascia. There is pain in the back, cramps when moving the body, intervertebral joints lose mobility.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine and its complications
- the first stage
The intervertebral disc produces less collagen and reduces water concentration. becomes flatter. Cracks start on its surface. Discomfort and fatigue appear in the head. X-rays usually show no changes at first.
- the second stage
The surface of the disc cracks, the nucleus moves away from the center and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity. This causes the disc to protrude: it protrudes into the spinal canal in the form of a cone and puts pressure on the paravertebral ligaments. There is moderate pain. The surrounding muscles are constantly tense and limit the range of motion in the chest area. On the X-ray, you can see how the height of the intervertebral space has decreased.
- The third stage
Through the fissure of the fibrous ring, the nucleus or part of it protrudes into the lumen of the spinal canal. Vertebrates come closer to each other and osteophytes appear on their bodies - bone growths. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface area of the spine so that the load is distributed more evenly. The roots of the back are damaged, which causes back pain to intensify and spread along the ribs. X-ray shows osteophytes and sharp reduction of intervertebral space.
- The fourth stage
At this point, my back hurts painfully and constantly. Posture changes and it is difficult for a person to perform normal activities. The psycho-emotional sphere suffers. X-rays show spinal deformity.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The main cause of osteochondrosis is the degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the spine with age. There are many factors and diseases that affect the development of osteochondrosis:
- A lifeless lifestyle
- Excess weight
- Frequent hypothermia
- bad habits
- Improper weight lifting
- Uneven load on one shoulder when carrying heavy objects
- Hereditary tendency
- flat feet
- Pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- Deformation of the spine, bad posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
- Metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, gout, thyroid gland pathology
- Autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
- Walking in high heels
- Back injuries
Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women and men
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes: pain, muscle-tonic, radicular and sometimes facet.
- Pain syndrome
Abscesses, hernias, and osteophytes put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments and cause pain. In the initial stages of osteochondrosis, it appears only after heavy lifting or physical activity and disappears during rest. As the disease progresses, pain appears even without exercise.
- Muscle-tonic syndrome
Permanent muscle spasm occurs in response to pain. Muscles often spasm throughout the spine, so pain occurs not only in the chest, but also in the neck and lower back.
- Radicular syndrome
Hernias and hernias can compress the nerve root, causing pain and burning along the ribs. Pain often occurs at night and worsens during exercise.
- Facet syndrome
It develops with arthrosis of the small joints between the vertebral arches. During this syndrome, my back hurts in the chest area. The pain can last for years and cause limited mobility.
A characteristic sign of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain between the shoulder blades. It gets stronger when a person twists, bends, straightens or rounds. Pain can be acute or chronic:
- Acute pain occurs suddenly, after a sudden movement or turn. The attack is short-lived: it usually disappears after changing the position of the body, but sometimes it lasts for several days.
- Chronic pain lasts 12 weeks. A person cannot stand for a long time, it hurts to get up after sitting for a long time.
Other manifestations of osteochondrosis include:
- Pain, burning, tightness in the chest
- Pain in the back of the chest, in the center of the chest, can spread to the collarbones, neck, ribs, arms, simulating heart disease
- Constant cramping in the back when moving
- Shortness of breath due to pain on deep inhalation and exhalation
- Difficulty moving the spine
- Back muscle weakness
- Depression, depression due to chronic pain
- Sensation of a lump in the chest
Differential diagnosis is carried out with pathology of the lungs, cardiovascular system, mammary glands, exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
At the first episodes of back pain, it is better to consult a neurologist. The doctor will establish the correct diagnosis, exclude similar diseases and find out why osteochondrosis develops.
During the initial visit, the doctor collects an anamnesis: asks the patient to talk about complaints, medications he takes, hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries, operations and working conditions. In women, the neurologist studies the periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient's appearance: posture, weight-height ratio, body proportions. Checks the neurological condition: muscle strength, sensation in the limbs, tendon reflexes, range of motion of the spine. The doctor also evaluates the pain using special scales.
Instrumental diagnostic methods help to establish a diagnosis:
- Radiography. This is a simple study that reveals curvature of the spine, fractures and dislocations of the spine, and narrowing of the intervertebral space.
- CT scan. This is a more informative method that shows the pathology of the spine and discs, which is invisible on X-rays. Allows you to assess the degree of damage to the spine and monitor the progress of treatment.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. It helps in the diagnosis of rashes, herniated intervertebral discs and spinal nerve root pathology.
In order to rule out diseases of the heart and internal organs, the doctor may refer the patient to an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, a gastroscopy or an ECG.
Treatment: what to do with osteochondrosis of the chest region
You should not self-medicate, self-prescribe medications or procedures - this can cause side effects and dangerous complications. The doctor must treat the patient and monitor the dynamics of his condition.
How long the therapy will last depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. Doctors use the following methods for conservative treatment of osteochondrosis:
drug therapy
Patients are prescribed the main groups of drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieves pain, relieves tissue inflammation and swelling.
- Muscle relaxants - relax muscles and reduce pain.
- Glucocorticoids - slow down the destruction of intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. They are prescribed when non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants do not help.
Physiotherapy
The instructor selects exercises to strengthen the muscles of the chest region, correct the posture and improve the mobility of the spine.
Different typesPhysiotherapy. Address:
- Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
- Laser therapy - promotes nutrition and tissue recovery, eliminates inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy - destroys deposits of calcium salts on the vertebrae, accelerates the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue.
Acupuncture
It stimulates blood circulation in the tissues in the area of the affected spine, relaxes the muscles, reduces pain and swelling.
insert
Applying special adhesive tapes on the skin in the painful area of the back. Bands regulate muscle tone and correctly distribute the load.
Massage, manual therapy
As an adjunctive therapy to improve muscle relaxation and spinal mobility.
Doctors do everything for conservative treatment of the patient. If available therapies do not help, the patient is referred for consultation with a neurosurgeon.
Complications: the risk of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women
If you contact specialists in time and lead a healthy lifestyle, changes in the spine can be stopped. If the patient consults a doctor at the last stage, then even adequate therapy does not always give a good prognosis.
Without treatment, osteochondrosis can cause protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc, chronic pain in the back or other parts of the body, low mobility of the spine and its deformation.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, neck and other parts, it is important to follow these rules:
- Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow
- When lifting weights, do not bend over, but squat so that the load falls on the hips
- Carry a bag or backpack alternately on the left and right shoulder, so as not to burden only one side
- Avoid injury
- Stop smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Drink enough water
- Do a warm-up when sitting for a long time, do sports, swim, walk
- Body weight monitoring
- Timely treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
- Wear comfortable shoes
If you have back pain in the chest or other parts of the spine, do not postpone the examination until later. Make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor will conduct a complete diagnosis and make a treatment plan. You will get rid of pain and keep your spine healthy.