Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine (OS) is not only the destruction of fibrous rings and bone elements, but also the weakening of muscle structures. This form of pathology is unusual and has specific symptoms that may resemble an attack of angina or gastritis.
Therefore, it is so important to differentiate the disease by excluding other causes of back discomfort. We will show 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: there are more elements, they are smaller and thinner, and they also have long processes. The mobility of this segment of the ridge is significantly lower, and the lion's share of the load is taken by the sternum and ribs.
A lump in the throat with osteochondrosis of the GOP appears due to spasm of the muscles of the pharynx and neck.
An important role is also played by the physiological curvature of the GOP, directed convexly backwards. In this case, the main pressure falls on the front area of the disks, leaving the distant part in relative calm. This means that protrusions and hernias develop outside the ridge, without affecting the spinal cord.
Types of disease
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the observed syndrome. There are two types: neurological and pain.
The first case is characterized by numbness of the upper extremities, crawling, tremors and reflex tension of the muscles in the back. In particularly severe cases, there is difficulty in breathing, a feeling of a lump in the throat, heartburn and pressure in the epigastrium.
The pain syndrome can be sharp and intense (dorsago) or long-term and mild (dorsalgia), and also appears as intercostal neuralgia.
To describe the destructive effects of osteochondrosis, there is a code according to ICD-10. For children it corresponds to the M42 value. 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 is given code M54 - dorsalgia.
Dorsago
This term refers to sharp and sudden pain in the sternum. They can be so strong that it makes breathing and movement difficult. They are also called lumbago of the chest.
A dangerous symptom is the appearance of pain on the left side in front. If the attack is not provoked by osteochondrosis of the chest, it may be a sign of heart pathology. In this case, the person requires urgent medical attention, so it will be useful to know some of the distinguishing features of chest pain.
Thus, with dorsago, the patient's well-being does not improve after taking "heart" drugs, and the ECG does not show any changes in the rhythm. In addition, discomfort increases significantly when coughing, bending the upper body to the sides and forward.
Such manifestations of the chest form of the disease must be differentiated from other pathologies with similar symptoms. A neurologist does this by performing an EKG, X-ray, CT and MRI of the spine. In particularly difficult cases, a thoracic surgeon is involved in the diagnosis.
Dorsalgia
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 goes away by itself after short movements.
The pain intensifies with deep and frequent breathing, with bending and turning. With dorsalgia, spasms of the back muscles and deterioration of the mobility of the cervicothoracic or lumbar-thoracic segments are observed.
Predisposing factors for the occurrence of the disease
The thoracic form of osteochondrosis never appears on its own. It is preceded by unfavorable circumstances, which may exist separately or simultaneously, reinforcing each other.
Provocative factors:
- limited diet, lack of micronutrients;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports;
- back injuries;
- congenital anomalies of the structure of bone structures;
- obesity;
- infectious and inflammatory pathologies that can disrupt the diffuse nutrition of the vertebrae (ankylosing spondylitis, tuberculosis of the spine);
- flat feet.
When osteochondrosis of 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 teenagers, this indicates a wrong lifestyle and adherence to bad habits.
The chest form of the disease develops more often in office workers, students and schoolchildren who spend a lot of time in a sitting position with a bent back. The thoracic type of osteochondrosis is dangerous for the heart muscle.
In women, predisposing factors for the appearance of the disease are pregnancy, wearing high heels and weak back muscles. Symptoms of pathology increase significantly 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.
The main methods of treatment
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that leads to 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 vertebral disorders develop simultaneously with the destruction. Therefore, therapy for osteochondrosis is symptomatic.
The treatment regimen for spinal dystrophy includes several types of medication.
What drugs are used to fight 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 it is unlikely that the medicinal composition will 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, magnetic therapy and UHF are prescribed. Muscle spasms are relieved with muscle relaxants.
Non-drug treatment
The most effective method to combat osteochondrosis of the chest is massage. It helps to relax tense muscles, relieve discomfort in the back and partially restore the biomechanics of the spine. You can perform the procedure yourself by purchasing a suitable massager for your home.
Stretching (stretching) the spine helps reduce the load on the damaged discs. With this procedure, it is possible to relieve the pressed 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 back muscles, reduces the load on the discs, improves the general well-being of the patient and lifts the mood.
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 everyone. 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 worsening osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis appears as a chronic pathology and the frequency of relapses directly depends on the degree of disc damage and the patient's lifestyle.
During an exacerbation, during which there is a tightening of nerve fibers, the patient needs complete rest and treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also recommended to take analgesics, vitamin and mineral complexes with a high content of calcium and B vitamins.
For relapses of osteochondrosis, folk remedies are very effective. Non-traditional treatment includes various ointments and rubs prepared on the basis of camphor alcohol, essential oils of fir, juniper and thuja.
Infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants will help cope with relapse. Compresses made from burdock leaves and fresh cabbage, lotions with a decoction of sturgeon flowers, birch buds or celery root give a good anti-inflammatory result.
For acute back pain, traditional healers recommend placing mustard plasters in the area of the affected vertebrae. It is difficult to say how effective and safe this method is, but for many people it really helps to get rid of painful symptoms.
There are many good reviews for this method of treating the aggravation, such as acupuncture. The procedure, performed by a highly qualified specialist, perfectly relieves pain, calms and relaxes and stimulates the body's defenses. It helps both in the initial stage of the disease and in very advanced forms.
The consequences of osteochondrosis GOP
If degenerative changes in the spine are not treated immediately, they progress quickly and lead to serious disorders in the body. The most common complications of osteochondrosis are:
- disorders in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- lung and bronchial diseases;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- deterioration of blood circulation in the limbs.
The development of protrusion and herniation of intervertebral discs causes compression of nerve fibers, arteries and spinal cord.
As a result of the deterioration of blood circulation, the patient may develop paralysis of the limbs and the functionality of the brain may deteriorate. Often the occurrence of neurological disorders: Brown-Séquard and Personage-Turner syndromes, Adamkiewicz reaction, infarction of the anterior spinal artery.
Complications of osteochondrosis of GOP include VSD (complex of vegetative-vascular disorders).
Why is this type of osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main risk of dystrophy of the thoracic spine is the establishment of a wrong diagnosis and the determination of inappropriate treatment. As the patient takes pills for the heart or stomach, the destruction of the discs progresses more and more, leading to protrusion and herniation.
The risk of the disease is also great in terms of the possible development of heart pathologies - advanced osteochondrosis of the heart often becomes the cause of arrhythmia, cardiovascular failure and myocardial infarction.
During an acute attack of dorsago, breathing problems may occur. Long-term airflow limitation leads to devastating bronchitis, asthma and lung disease. The resulting hernias cause deterioration of 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 disease - strength deteriorates, muscle tone decreases, strength in the arms is lost, and a possible postponement of military recruitment is possible.
Preventive measures
It is not difficult to avoid problems with the spine. The main thing is to get used to daily physical activity. A little exercise early in the morning and some active breaks during the workday will bring huge benefits.
It is good to swim, if you are overweight, be sure to lose weight, but without overzealousness. The diet should be balanced and sufficient in calories. In addition, you can take chondroprotectors.
To prevent diseases of the spine, it is recommended to find a qualified massage therapist, do yoga or stretching.
CONCLUSION
Even with osteochondrosis of the chest region, you can live to the fullest, forgetting about the disease for many years. The main thing is to remember about regular physical activity. As soon as we reduce activity, the body begins to age quickly and acquire all kinds of diseases, including spinal dystrophy. Knowing this, it is not difficult to prevent pathology or slow down the destruction that has already begun.