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 case where another kind of negative influence is exerted on the body, the thorax develops osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, resilience and strength, in other words, their 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 justification for using the term "osteochondrosis of the spine" is now disputed, as well as writing off all back pain for this problem.
In the international classification of diseases in the 10th revision of the nosological unit, "osteochondrosis" is not, but the term still exists among physicians.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine do not develop as often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If pain occurs in the left side of the chest, even if it increases with inspiration, associated with movement, electrocardiography is mandatory to rule out acute coronary syndrome.
What is the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the most rare form of unnatural change in the spine. The fact is that in contrast to the lumbar and cervical region, 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.
The symptoms are often reminiscent of heart disease as well as diseases of the pleura.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of X-ray, CT, MRI. The treatment is chosen to relieve symptoms and prevent further degradation of cartilage in the spine.
Even significant loads cause minimal damage to the vertebrae in this area. However, the greatest danger to the vertebrae in this area is a prolonged sedentary state.
Such osteochondrosis causes a change both in the vertebrae themselves and in nearby organs. The onset of the disease is generally mild, with no sharp pains. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its peculiarity to mimic other diseases.
Quite often this pathology can be confused with:
- heart attack;
- diseasesGastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- diseaseshearts;
- inflammationAppendix;
- kidneycolic.
With a comprehensive study, it quickly turns out that the symptoms of other diseases are not confirmed, while there are clear signs of one of the degrees of osteochondrosis.
The spread of the disease
The risk group includes workers of any kind of activity. Osteochondrosis of the breast (GO) most often occurs in people over the age of 55, but among young people you can also see the first signs of the development of the disease. In the sample examined by doctors, 38% were men and 62% women.
The initial phase 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 workers a year. Those. in many cases, within a year, one person gets several relapses that require a sick leave each time.
degrees
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationdisks,due to which they lose flexibility and elasticity. At this stage, the discs gradually become flattened and modified, they are still able to withstand the load, but the person already feels uncomfortable sensations.
- Cracks dehydratedfibrousslice rings. When the position of the body changes, pronounced pain is felt.
- The gapthe outer shell of the disc, nucleus pulposus coming out, forms a hernia, which touches the nerve roots extending from the spine, in such a situation a sharp pain occurs.
- Convergenceadjacent vortices, their displacement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- Disease1 degreediagnosed with a fracture of the intervertebral disc when a sharp pain occurs in the sternum, comparable to an electric shock while the muscles are extremely tense.
- 2nd degreecharacterized by the appearance of disc protrusions when part of it begins to press on the nerve roots, but the nucleus pulposus is still intact and does not come out. This degree of osteochondrosis continues in a constant alternation of exacerbations and remissions.
- On3 degreespain is permanent as the nerve endings are subject to incessant irritation. At this stage, there is numbness in the limbs, severe headache, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to generally poor health.
- On4 degreesirreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification the spine loses its mobility at this site.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, an appropriate method of treatment is chosen.
Causes
Osteochondrosis occurs for a number of reasons, but the most common:
- Excessiveweightbody. The spine is not able to constantly carry too much weight.
- Wrongnutrition.Due to the small consumption of foods containing calcium and the concomitant consumption of food, which causes its leaching from the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae wear gradually. In addition, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, intervertebral discs, which lack these important micronutrients, suffer.
- Smoking.The use of tobacco disrupts metabolic processes in the body and it has a significant effect on the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- Violationpose.A systematic violation of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which in turn causes osteochondrosis.
- StationaryLifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of physical activity lead to the muscles of the body losing their tone. They relax and can not fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Increased physicalload.Most often they happen to professional athletes, but in everyday situations 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 protrusions and hernias.
- Geneticdisposition. Quite often, similar pathological disorders are found in vertebrae and discs in close relatives.
- Agechanges. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that provide elasticity to the intervertebral discs. Bone tissue becomes porous and brittle, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformation.
- Traumaback. Even a slight injury to the spine does not pass without leaving a trace and gives rise to transformations in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can become a driving force for the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Since thoracic osteochondrosis in symptomatology is similar 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 in betweenribs;
- pain in the upperlimbs,accompanied by a feeling of tingling and numbness;
- pain in deepbreathing;
- pain when tryingto raisehand;
- inability to commit to the body corpuspourin one direction or another;
- crampsin the muscles;
- pallorskin due to improper function of nerve endings;
- sensationlower backbehind.
Pain attacks increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature when the body is rotated.
As pain can radiate to the anterior upper sternum, it is often confused with pain in the heart.
| Swirl no. | What parts of the body are connected 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, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis |
| D4 | Bile duct and bladder | Jaundice, gallstones |
| D5 | Solar plexus | Jaundice, bad blood clots |
| D6 | Liver | Ulcers, gastritis, digestive problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Stools, digestive disorders, stomach ulcers and diabetes |
| D8 | Diaphragm, spleen | Weakened immune system, allergies |
| D9 | Adrenal glands | Weakness, fatigue, kidney problems |
| D10 | Kidney | Infertility, digestive problems, diseases of the female genitalia |
| D11 | Uretere | Kidney disease, urinary tract problems |
| D12 | Fallopian tubes, groin rings, colon and small intestine | Infertility, diseases of the genitals, problems with bowel movements and digestion |
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, 2 common syndromes can be observed - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago is a syndrome accompanied by severe, sharp and sudden pain in the sternum. The usual 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 long time in one position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - unlike dorsago, it develops imperceptibly in 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 is expressed |
|---|---|
| Breast | Narrowing is felt in the back and chest, it becomes difficult to breathe, pain is felt when breathing and bending, sometimes felt in the heart and left sternum. |
| Neck | The hands become numb, the voice hoarse, the breathing is hard, the head hurts, dizziness, sight and hearing fall |
| Small of the back | Cold feet syndrome, spasms of the lower extremities, increased sweating, abnormalities of the genitourinary system, low back pain - dull or acute |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- sensationlumpin the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus, occurs if the disease affects the upper part of the chest;
- symptomspancreatitis,cholecystitis occurs when the central thoracic region is affected;
- pathologyintestinesis able to simulate the defeat of the lower thoracic region;
- intercostalneuralgia,due to the violation of the roots of the intercostal nerve, the pain in this case is of shingles in nature. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of the internal organs;
- lungsyndrome - expressed by symptoms of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
During the course of the disease, both several and almost all symptoms can be observed simultaneously, and they change depending on the stage of osteochondrosis of the breast.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Heart attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Rarely strong, more often mild pain | Strong to Unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Long: a day or more | Several hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between the shoulder blades | Neck, behind the sternum | Neck, behind the sternum |
Diagnostics
The main methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- X-ray.In the images obtained with its help, there are usually the following signs: an altered shape of the vertebral body; the presence of bone growth; reduced height of intervertebral discs; uneven contours of the plates; thinning of the spinal canal; degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- PCtomography. It is necessary in difficult cases to obtain a full 3D model of the spine.
- Neurophysiologicalexamination. Tendon reflexes are assessed, as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography).
- Examinationbloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
Since osteochondrosis of the breast is quite difficult to diagnose, you should know its primary symptoms in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
First aid for exacerbation
If it becomes necessary to get rid of an attack in a short time, experts recommend following a series of recommendations.
First of all, the area where the pain syndrome manifests itself needs to be heated. For this it is better to use special medical ointments. Doctors strongly advise against using herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of severe burns. A woolen shawl or scarf works best for a warming compress.
Next, take a body position that will 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 medication with analgesic effect will help stop or reduce the severity of the seizure.
If the state of health does not improve after 60 minutes, call an ambulance. When the doctor comes, he should be told about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatorynon-steroidal drugs - help suppress inflammation and relieve pain. Hormone preparations may be added.
- Muscle relaxants- relax in muscles that are in tension.
- Sedativesdrugs - to reduce anxiety and irritability caused by constant pain.
- Diureticmedicines to relieve swelling.
- Drugsto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Drugs prescribed to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue - insufficient evidence, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Specialists in acupuncture are able to relieve pain in osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- User Manualtherapy. An experienced chiropractor is able to 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.
- Ultrasoundtherapy.
- Electromagnetictherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Extent.Thanks to this method, the muscles and 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 does not work or a herniated disc has formed, surgery is rarely necessary.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotectors - jelly meat, jellies, puddings, strong broth cooked by lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is essential for maintaining the health of the spine. This type of activity allows you to distribute the load evenly throughout the body, helps adjust 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 recovery is precluded while an aggravation is taking place.
Physiotherapy
If 1st degree breast osteochondrosis is diagnosed, regular exercise will allow you to cope with the problem without resorting to medication. In order to achieve a positive result, it is also recommended to perform gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to perform the following exercises daily:
- tilt the body forward while alternately bending the lower extremities;
- perform bends to the sides by taking turns to lift your hands;
- simultaneously raise the upper and lower limbs to the supine position;
- tilt the body forward when reaching with the hands to the foot on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. It is allowed to make 3 approaches.
Experts provide a different set of exercises:
- Take a standing position. Raise your arms as you inhale and lower them as you exhale.
- Sit on a chair with your back. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that the shoulder blades are as close together as possible. Bend your lower back slightly.
- Stand on all fours. Lift the right leg and left arm off the floor, straighten and take it away. In this position, hang for 15 seconds. Then take the starting position and do the same on opposite limbs.
- Perform the "cat" exercise. To do this, also take a position, stand on all fours, bend at the loins and bend upwards.
Each should be done 15-20 times. If painful sensations occur during a workout, it is better not to do so.
After the muscle corset has become 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 the classes.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, as the disease is only latent and asymptomatic, it can be recognized when it has developed significantly. The following complications are distinguished:
- narrowingthe spinal 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 it is more often possible to avoid the consequences.
Prevention methods
As such, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis; it is generally necessary to take care of the spine to prevent changes in it. Therefore, you should adhere to the following rules:
- To not allowdamagespine. Athletes must carefully calibrate the load and use sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose work involves physical activity must strengthen their back muscles to support the spine.
- Perform a complex of specialgymnasticsexercise. It is necessary to normalize the blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral discs do not suffer from a lack of the necessary trace elements. For sedentary work, get up at least once an hour and do some warming up.
- For the slightest signs that are typical of diseases of the spine (tingling, numbness, low back pain), apply forconsultationto a neurologist.
It is necessary to take care of the health of the spine, stick to moderate physical activity, avoid bad habits, eat a balanced diet and drink more fluids. All this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and discs between them and keep the spine in working order for a long time.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Which doctor treats?
At the first symptoms of the manifestation of pathology, consult a vertebrologist or neurologist. In order to prescribe a complex treatment, you also need a consultation with a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is a bruise, trauma, fractures), an osteopath (determines the area of †‹вЂ‹ the spinal lesion), a rheumatologist (inflammation of 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 repeated constantly, causing a gradual damage to new areas.
What position to sleep in?
Experts recommend taking a side position in the embryo position. It is also allowed to sleep on the back, but in this case the internal organs can put pressure on the thoracic region. Sleeping on your stomach can cause soreness in your neck.