The human spine is, in the literal sense of the word, its support. It is designed to withstand large loads. When a different kind of negative influence is exerted on the body, thoracic osteochondrosis develops.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, resilience and strength, in other words, dystrophic and degenerative changes occur. The basis is the violation of metabolic processes in the tissues of the discs. In addition, there is a change in the structure of the vertebrae themselves.
The appropriateness of using the term "osteochondrosis of the spine" is now in question, as is the deletion of all back pain in 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 so often, they can mimic the symptoms of physical illness.
If there is pain in the left side of the chest, even if it increases with inhalation, which is associated with movement, an electrocardiogram is mandatory to rule out acute coronary syndrome.
What is the disease?
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the rarest form of abnormal changes in the spine. The fact is that, in contrast to the lumbar and cervical regions, the thoracic region of the spine is supported and strengthened from the sides.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common than other forms of this condition, as the thoracic spine is strengthened by ribs.
The symptoms are often similar to those of heart disease as well as pleural effusions.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of x-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment is chosen to relieve symptoms and prevent further degradation 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 the prolonged sedentary state.
Such osteochondrosis causes a change in both the vertebrae themselves and the nearby organs. The onset of the disease is generally mild, with no acute pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to detect osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its particularity to impersonate other diseases.
Very often, this pathology can be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- illnessesGastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- illnesseshearts?
- inflammationannex;
- renalcolic.
With a thorough 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 employees of any kind of activity. Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest (GO) occurs in people over 55, but among young people, you can also see the first signs of developing the disease. In the sample asked by doctors, 38% were men and 62% women.
The initial stage of HO occurs in 71% of respondents. Osteochondrosis is the most common cause of disability in the working population. There are 33 to 165 cases per 100 employees 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 dehydrationdisks,because of what they lose flexibility and elasticity. At this stage, the discs are gradually leveled and modified, they are still able to withstand the load, but the person is already feeling unpleasant sensations.
- Bursting dehydratedfibrousdisc rings. When the position of the body changes, intense pain is felt.
- The gapthe outer shell of the disc, the pulpal nucleus comes out, forming a hernia, which touches the nerve roots extending from the spine, in such a state, an acute pain occurs.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening and development.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- Disease1 pointIt is diagnosed by rupture of the intervertebral disc, when acute chest pain occurs, comparable to an electric shock, while the muscles are extremely tense.
- 2nd degreeis characterized by the appearance of a disc protrusion, when part of it begins to press on the nerve roots, but the pulpal nucleus is still intact and does not come out. This degree of osteochondrosis proceeds to a constant alternation of exacerbations and relapses.
- In the3 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.
- In the4 degreesirreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification, the spine loses its mobility at this point.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, the symptoms and other factors, an appropriate method of treatment is selected.
Causes
Osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, but the most common are:
- Too muchweightbody. The spine can not support a lot of weight all the time.
- Wrongnutrition.Due to the low consumption of foods containing calcium and the simultaneous consumption of food, which causes its rinsing by the body, the bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae gradually wear out. In addition, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral discs suffer, which are deprived of these important micronutrients.
- Smoking.Tobacco use disrupts metabolic processes in the body and this has a significant effect on the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- ViolationPosture.A systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which, in turn, causes osteochondrosis.
- SedentaryLIFESTYLE. Sedentary work and lack of physical activity lead to the fact that the muscles of the body lose their tone. They relax and can not fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Increased physicalload.Most often they occur in professional athletes, however, in everyday conditions there are such situations. If a strong effect is exerted on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of a protrusion and a hernia.
- Geneticpredisposition. Quite often, similar pathological disorders in the vertebrae and discs are found in close relatives.
- Agechanges. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give elasticity to the intervertebral discs. Bone tissue becomes porous and fragile, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformity.
- Woundback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not pass without leaving a trace and causes metamorphosis in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can trigger the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Since thoracic osteochondrosis is similar in symptoms to many other diseases, it is rather difficult to distinguish its signs. However, doctors agree that the obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be taken into account:
- pain betweenribs;
- pain in the upper partextremities,accompanied by a tingling sensation and numbness;
- pain in the deepbreathing;
- pain when tryingto increasehand;
- inability to commit from body to bodytiltin one direction or the other.
- convulsionsin the muscles;
- palenessskin due to improper functioning of nerve endings.
- sensationlumbagoin the back.
Pain attacks increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature when the body is rotated.
Because pain can radiate to the anterior upper chest, it is often confused with heart pain.
| Vertebrae no. | What parts of the body is it related to | What causes it |
|---|---|---|
| Δ1 | Trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmia |
| Δ2 | Palms, wrists, hands | Pain in the chest, palms and hands |
| D3 | Chest, pleura, lungs, bronchi | Pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, bronchitis |
| Δ4 | Bile duct and bladder | Jaundice, stones in the bile |
| D5 | Solar grid | Jaundice, poor blood clotting |
| D6 | Liver | Ulcers, gastritis, digestive problems, liver dysfunction |
| Δ7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Stools, digestive disorders, ulcers and diabetes |
| D8 | Diaphragm, spleen | Weakened immune system, allergies |
| D9 | Adrenal glands | Weakness, fatigue, kidney problems |
| Δ10 | Kidney | Infertility, digestive problems, diseases of the female genitals |
| Δ11 | Urinals | Kidney disease, urinary problems |
| Δ12 | Trumpets, groin rings, colon and small intestine | Infertility, diseases of the genitals, problems with stool and digestion |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be observed - dorsago and dorsal.
Dorsago is a syndrome accompanied by intense, acute and sudden chest pain. Normal inhalation, exhalation and attempts to turn the body in one direction or another are accompanied by painful sensations. This syndrome often occurs in people who have to spend a lot of time in one position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - unlike dorsago, it grows imperceptibly, for about a month. It is characterized by throbbing pain and discomfort in the chest. The pain increases in the dark, with deep breathing and an uncomfortable position of the body.
| Where does it hurt? | How it manifests |
|---|---|
| Bosom | The contraction is felt in the back and chest, it becomes difficult to breathe, the pain is felt during breathing and bending, sometimes felt in the area of the heart and the left sternum. |
| Neck | Hands numb, voice hoarse, breathing difficult, headache, dizziness, vision and hearing drop |
| Small from the back | Cold feet syndrome, lower extremity spasms, increased sweating, urogenital disorders, lower back pain - dull or sharp |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationmassin the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus, occurs if the disease affects the upper chest.
- symptomspancreatitis,Cholecystitis occurs when the middle thoracic region is affected.
- pathologyintestinesis able to simulate the defeat of the lower chest area.
- between the sidesneuralgia,arising from the invasion of the roots of the median nerve, the pain in this case is shingles in nature. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of the internal organs.
- pulmonarysyndrome - expressed with symptoms of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
During the course of the disease, many and almost all symptoms can be observed at the same time and change depending on the stage of osteochondrosis in the chest.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Less often strong, more often mild pain | Strong to unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Great: a day or more | Several hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between the shoulders | Neck, behind the sternum | Neck, behind the sternum |
Diagnostics
The main methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- X-ray.In the images taken with its help, there are usually the following signs: 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 three-dimensional model of the spine.
- Neurophysiologicalexamination. Tendon reflexes are evaluated, as well as the conduction of muscle nerves (electroneuromyography).
- Studybloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
As osteochondrosis of the breast is quite difficult to diagnose, you should know its main symptoms in order to consult a doctor in time.
First aid for flare-ups
If it becomes necessary to get rid of an attack in a short time, experts recommend that you follow some recommendations.
First of all, the area in which the pain syndrome manifests itself must be heated. For this, it is better to use special medicated ointments. Doctors strongly advise you not to use herbal teas, as there is a possibility of severe burns. A woolen shawl or scarf works best for a heating compress.
Next, you need to get a body position that will not cause the manifestation of unpleasant sensations. It is recommended to lie on a hard surface such as the floor.
At the time of flare-up, a tight bandage should be applied to the chest.
Taking a drug with analgesic action will help stop or reduce the severity of the attack.
If, after 60 minutes, your health does not improve, you should call an ambulance. When the doctor arrives, he should be informed about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatoryNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - help suppress inflammation and relieve pain. If necessary, hormonal preparations are added.
- Muscle relaxantsrelax the tense muscles.
- SedativesMedications - to reduce stress and irritability caused by constant pain.
- Diureticdrugs to relieve swelling.
- Medicinesto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotective.Drugs prescribed to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue - insufficient evidence base, the result is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncturists are able to relieve pain in osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Handbooktreatment. An experienced chiropractor is able to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- Massage.The use of this method of treatment in the absence of disc herniation is allowed.
- Ultrasonictreatment.
- Electromagnetictreatment.
- Mud therapy.
- Stretches.Thanks to this method, the muscles and the spine are stretched up to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, leads to decompression of the nerve endings, while the inflammatory process is eliminated, the pain disappears and the local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment does not work or a disc herniation has formed, surgery is rarely required.
The diet should include dishes that are naturally chondroprotective - meat jellies, jellies, puddings, strong broths cooked from lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is necessary to maintain the health of the spine. This type of activity allows you to distribute the load evenly throughout the body, helps to align the spine, strengthens the back muscles and generally improves the health of the body. However, it is worth remembering that in the presence of a hernia, such a method of repair is ruled out while there is an exacerbation.
Physiotherapy
If you are diagnosed with grade 1 osteochondrosis of the chest, regular exercise will allow you to deal with the problem without resorting to medication. In addition, to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to exercise for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises daily:
- tilt the body forward while bending the lower limbs alternately.
- Perform lateral bends by raising your arms alternately.
- lift the upper and lower limbs to the prone position at the same time.
- tilt the body forward, reaching with your hands to the foot on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. You are allowed to make 3 approaches.
Experts give another set of exercises:
- Take an upright position. Raise your arms as you inhale and lower them as you exhale.
- Sit in a chair with your back to it. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that your shoulders are as close to each other as possible. Bend your lower back slightly.
- Climb on all fours. Lift your right foot and left hand off the floor, straighten and remove. You should stay in this position for 15 seconds. After that, take the starting position and do the same at the opposite ends.
- Perform the "cat" exercise. To do this, you must also take a position, stand on all fours, bend at the lower back and bend upwards.
Each should be done 15-20 times. If you experience painful sensations during any exercise, it is best not to do so.
Once the muscular corset becomes stronger, the specialist will recommend the transition to more complex exercises.
We must remember that during the period of exacerbation of the disease, the load should be minimal, but you should not completely miss classes.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the onset of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, as the disease is initially latent and asymptomatic, it can be recognized when it has progressed significantly. The following complications can be distinguished:
- stenosisspine?
- overgrowthbone tissue of the vertebrae.
- vertebral joint(thoracoarthropathy, back pain);
- inflammationnerve roots of the spine.
- vegetative-vasculardystonia.
The nature and severity of the complications depend on the timely and correctness of the treatment. At the same time, at a younger age, it is more often possible to avoid the consequences.
Prevention methods
Therefore, there is no specific prevention for osteochondrosis; it is essential to take care of the spine in general to prevent any changes in it. Therefore, you should follow the following rules:
- Do not allowdamageSPINE. Athletes should carefully calibrate the load and use sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose work involves physical activity need to strengthen their back muscles to support their spine.
- Run a team of expertsgymnasticexcercise. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine, so that the intervertebral discs do not suffer from a lack of essential trace elements. When doing sedentary work, you should get up at least once an hour and warm up a bit.
- With the slightest signs typical of diseases of the spine (tingling, numbness, lumbar), you should apply forconsultationto a neurologist.
It is necessary to take care of the health of the spine, to follow moderate physical activity, to avoid bad habits, to eat a balanced diet and to drink more fluids. All this will help to avoid changes in the vertebrae and the discs between them and will keep the spine in working condition for a long time.
Answers to common questions
Which doctor treats?
At the first signs of pathology, you should contact a vertebrate or neurologist. To prescribe a complex treatment, you will also need to consult a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is bruising, trauma, fractures), osteopath (determines the area of spinal damage), rheumatologist (inflammation of the connective tissue).
How long does an outbreak last?
The duration of the acute phase can be from 3 to 14 days. In the absence of treatment, relapses can recur continuously, causing gradual damage to new areas.
In what position to sleep?
Experts recommend that you take a sideways position in position of the fetus. Sleeping on your back is also allowed, but in this case, the internal organs can put pressure on the chest area. Sleeping on your stomach can cause sore throat.