Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine (OS) is not only the destruction of fibrous rings and bone elements, but also the weakness of muscle structures. This form of pathology is rare and has specific symptoms that may resemble an angina attack or gastritis.
Therefore, it is very important to differentiate the disease by excluding other causes of back discomfort. We will tell you how to recognize the symptoms of the disease and carry out effective therapy.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the hip joint, unlike lumbar and cervical osteochondrosis, is rarely diagnosed. This is explained by the anatomy of the thoracic region: it has more elements, they are smaller and thinner, and they also have long processes. The mobility of this segment of the crest is noticeably less, and most of the load is taken on by the sternum and ribs.
A lump in the throat appears with osteochondrosis of the GOP due to spasm of the muscles of the pharynx and neck.
The physiological curvature of the GOP, directed convexly posteriorly, also plays an important role. In this case, the main pressure falls on the front area of the discs, leaving the far part in relative peace. This means that bulges and hernias develop outside the ridge, without affecting the spinal cord.
types of disease
The symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the observed syndrome. There are two types: neurological and painful.
The first case is characterized by numbness of the upper extremities, tingling, spasms and reflex tension of the back muscles. In especially severe cases, difficulty breathing occurs, a feeling of a lump in the throat, heartburn, and pressure in the epigastrium appear.
The pain syndrome can be acute and intense (dorsalgia) or long-lasting and mild (dorsalgia), and also manifest as intercostal neuralgia.
To describe the destructive effects of osteochondrosis, there is a code according to the ICD-10. For children it corresponds to the value M42. 0, for adults the code M42 is used. 1. If the diagnosis is not confirmed by the results of MRI and X-rays, the patient receives the code M54: back pain.
Dorsago
This term refers to a sudden, sharp pain in the breastbone. They can be so strong that they make it difficult to breathe and move. They are also called thoracic lumbago.
A dangerous symptom is the appearance of pain on the left side of the front. If the attack is not provoked by thoracic osteochondrosis, it may be a sign of cardiac pathology. In this case, the person requires urgent medical attention, so it will be useful to know some of the distinctive features of chest pain.
Thus, with the dorsago, the patient's well-being does not improve after taking "heart" medications and the ECG does not show any change in rhythm. Additionally, the discomfort increases dramatically when coughing, tilting the upper body to the sides and forward.
Such manifestations of the thoracic form of the disease must be differentiated from other pathologies with similar symptoms. A neurologist does this by performing an ECG, x-ray, CT scan, and MRI of the spine. In particularly difficult cases, a thoracic surgeon is involved in the diagnosis.
Back pain
Dorsalgia is called back pain. The peculiarity of this syndrome is the duration of its course and the lack of expression of the clinical picture, while the main symptoms do not extend beyond the chest.
The disease develops gradually, tormenting the patient with unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blade area at night. In the morning, the discomfort disappears on its own after brief movements.
The pain intensifies with frequent deep breathing, bending and turning. With back pain, spasms of the back muscles and impaired mobility of the cervicothoracic or lumbar-thoracic segments are observed.
Predisposing factors for the appearance of the disease.
The thoracic form of osteochondrosis never appears on its own. It is preceded by unfavorable circumstances, which can exist separately or simultaneously, reinforcing each other.
Provoking factors:
- limited diet, micronutrient deficiency;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports;
- back injuries;
- congenital anomalies of the structure of bone structures;
- obesity;
- infectious and inflammatory pathologies that can alter the diffuse nutrition of the vertebrae (ankylosing spondylitis, spinal tuberculosis);
- flatfoot.
When osteochondrosis is diagnosed in an elderly person, doctors talk about the inevitable aging of the body. But if the disease develops in young patients, especially adolescents, this indicates an improper lifestyle and bad habits.
The thoracic form of the disease most often develops in office workers, students and schoolchildren who spend a lot of time sitting with their backs bent. The thoracic type of osteochondrosis is dangerous for the heart muscle.
In women, predisposing factors for the onset of the disease are pregnancy, wearing high heels and weakness of the back muscles. The symptoms of the pathology increase markedly during menopause, due to a decrease in estrogen production. If hormone replacement therapy is started during this period, damage to the spine can be stopped for many years.
Main treatment methods
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that causes deformation of the intervertebral discs and a disorder of the biomechanics of the skeleton as a whole. It is impossible to cure it, since many neurological and spinal disorders develop simultaneously with the destruction. Therefore, therapy for osteochondrosis is symptomatic.
The treatment regimen for spinal dystrophy includes several types of medications.
What medications are used to combat the pathology? First of all, these are NSAIDs in tablets and injections.
Ointments and creams for osteochondrosis of the hip joint are ineffective, since the fibrous disc is hidden behind the thickness of the muscles and the medicinal composition is unlikely to be able to penetrate so deeply.
If NSAIDs are contraindicated or do not have the desired effect, glucocorticosteroids are used, including in the form of paravertebral blocks. To reduce pain and inflammation, ultraphonophoresis with analgesics, magnetotherapy and UHF are prescribed. Muscle spasms are relieved with muscle relaxants.
Non-pharmacological treatment
The most effective method of combating thoracic osteochondrosis is massage. It helps relax tense muscles, relieve back discomfort and partially restore the biomechanics of the spine. You can perform the procedure yourself by purchasing a suitable massager for your home.
Traction (stretching) of the spine helps reduce the load on damaged discs. With this procedure, it is possible to relieve pinched nerve roots and significantly improve the patient's condition. It is noted that the patient feels relief after the first session.
At home, it is recommended to stretch the spine using specially selected exercises. Of course, traction works faster in the case of osteochondrosis, but exercise therapy has a number of advantages: it relaxes and strengthens the muscles of the back, reduces the load on the discs, improves the patient's general well-being and improves the state of mind.
There are many interesting and effective complexes designed for the thoracic spine. Very good exercises that do not require sports training and are accessible to anyone. It is recommended to start training with the simplest movements, gradually increasing the complexity of the exercises.
Recently, a basic complex containing universal movements that restore the functionality of all body systems has gained great popularity. Gymnastics is well complemented by swimming in the pool and hydromassage.
Actions for exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis presents as a chronic pathology and the frequency of relapses depends directly on the degree of damage to the discs and the patient's lifestyle.
During an exacerbation, during which pinching of the nerve fibers occurs, the patient needs complete rest and treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. The intake of pain relievers, vitamin and mineral complexes with high calcium and vitamin B content is also recommended.
For relapses of osteochondrosis, home remedies are very effective. Non-traditional treatment includes various ointments and ointments prepared on the basis of camphor alcohol, essential oils of fir, juniper and thuja.
Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs will help to cope with relapses. A good anti-inflammatory result is given by compresses made from fresh burdock and cabbage leaves, lotions with a decoction of linden flowers, birch buds or celery root.
For acute back pain, traditional healers recommend placing mustard strips on the affected vertebrae. It is difficult to say how effective and safe this method is, but for many it really helps to get rid of painful symptoms.
There are many good reviews about this method of treating exacerbations, like acupuncture. The procedure, performed by a highly qualified specialist, perfectly relieves pain, calms, relaxes and stimulates the body's defenses. It helps both in the initial stage of the disease and in very advanced forms.
Consequences of republican osteochondrosis
If degenerative changes in the spine are not treated in time, they progress rapidly and cause serious disorders in the body. The most common complications of osteochondrosis are:
- alterations in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diseases of the lungs and bronchi;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- Impaired blood circulation in the extremities.
The development of bulges and herniations of the intervertebral discs causes compression of the nerve fibers, arteries and spinal cord.
As a result of impaired blood circulation, the patient may develop paralysis of the limbs and deteriorate the functionality of the brain. The appearance of neurological disorders is common: Brown-Séquard and Personage-Turner syndromes, Adamkiewicz reaction, infarction of the anterior spinal artery.
Complications of GOP osteochondrosis include VSD (vegetative-vascular disorders complex).
Why is this type of osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main danger of thoracic spinal dystrophy is making an incorrect diagnosis and prescribing inappropriate treatment. While the patient takes heart or stomach pills, the destruction of the discs progresses more and more, causing bulges and hernias.
The danger of the disease is also great in terms of the possible development of cardiac pathologies: advanced osteochondrosis of the heart often becomes the cause of arrhythmias, cardiovascular failure and myocardial infarction.
During an acute backlash attack, breathing problems may occur. Prolonged airflow restriction causes destructive bronchitis, asthma, and lung diseases. The resulting hernias cause a deterioration in the functioning of the stomach, pancreas, kidneys and liver.
Women suffering from thoracic osteochondrosis face a disorder of the reproductive system: they cannot conceive a child for years, without even suspecting that the cause of infertility lies in spinal dystrophy. Men also suffer from chest diseases: power deteriorates, muscle tone decreases, strength in the arms is lost, and a possible postponement of compulsory military service is possible.
Precautionary measures
It is not difficult to avoid spinal problems. The main thing is to get used to daily physical activity. A little exercise first thing in the morning and some active breaks during the workday will bring enormous benefits.
It is good to go swimming, if you are overweight make sure you lose weight, but without excessive effort. The diet must be balanced and sufficient in calories. Additionally, you can take chondroprotectors.
To prevent spinal diseases, it is recommended to find a qualified massage therapist, do yoga or stretching.
Conclusion
Even with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, you can live fully, forgetting about the disease for many years. The main thing is to remember regular physical activity. As soon as we reduce activity, the body begins to age rapidly and acquire all kinds of ailments, including spinal dystrophy. Knowing this, it is not difficult to prevent pathology or stop the destruction that has already begun.