A sedentary lifestyle, injuries or excessive physical activity cause diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is important to start treatment early in the process to avoid complications. To do this, you need to know about the causes and symptoms of the pathology.
Description of the disease, what is its danger
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease in which dystrophic changes begin in the cartilage located in the intervertebral space. It is expressed by a decrease in the height of the pathological discs and compression of the intercostal nerve endings.
Thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages of development.
First, it is characterized by the drying of the intervertebral disc, a decrease in strength and flexibility, and the appearance of cracks. The pain is mild and passes after a person rests for a while.
In the second stage, the disc height decreases, the cavity in the vertebra is filled with the nucleus pulposus, but does not extend beyond its limits. Muscles are under constant tension. The person complains of severe pain that subsides after rest.
The third stage is characterized by the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus from the edges, the crack reaches the edge of the vertebra. As a result, an intervertebral hernia is formed. The pain is constant.
In the fourth stage, the spread of connective tissue, which puts pressure on the nearby vertebrae, is detected. Bone tissue begins to grow to compensate for the reduced layer. More and more growths (osteophytes) appear.
Types and complications of thoracic osteochondrosis
Depending on the nature of the pain, two types of thoracic osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- dorsago characterized by a sharp sharp pain in the form of lumbago localized in the thoracic spine. The condition is accompanied by muscle tension, movement problems in the neck and thoracic region;
- dorsalgia, where the pain gradually increases. Inhalations and turns of the body, as well as staying in one position for a long time, increase anxiety. At night, the discomfort deepens and disappears when walking.
In the absence of adequate therapy, nerve endings are increasingly compressed. As a result, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause complications:
- diseases of the digestive system;
- persistent pain;
- heart failure;
- reduced ability to conceive;
- a disorder in the work of the lungs caused by the proliferation of connective tissue.
Why does the pathology of the thoracic spine occur?
This part of the spine experiences moderate load and limited mobility. But the pathology is very common. The disease can be caused by one of the causes or their combination:
- injuries and damages;
- excessive load on the department, including in childhood;
- age-related changes associated with a decrease in nutrition of the disc tissue between the vertebrae;
- endocrinological diseases, especially during menopause;
- age-related disturbance of calcium absorption;
- excess body weight;
- problems with blood vessels, atherosclerotic deposits in the vessels of the thoracic region;
- weak muscle corset.
How does pathology manifest itself?
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis include pain and increased muscle tone. The pain can be either short-term with fever or long-term pain. Retraction can be felt in the front of the chest, under the ribs and in the shoulder. Pain intensifies when staying in one position for a long time.
A characteristic sign of pathology is sensitivity to palpation of the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebra.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are similar to symptoms of other diseases and include:
- discomfort in the heart area reminiscent of angina pain;
- pain during breathing, shortness of breath, also manifests itself in pneumonia, tuberculosis, obstructive lung disease;
- pain in the epigastric region, under the ribs, similar to the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases.
Methods of treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
If you have complaints, you should contact a neurologist. Therapy includes medication, physical therapy, exercise therapy, and massage.
Doctors prescribe drugs:
- means to eliminate the source of inflammation in the spine;
- drugs to reduce muscle tone and the risk of compression of the sensitive roots of the spinal cord;
- neuroprotectors designed to help restore nerve fibers.
The choice and dosage is chosen by the doctor, who takes into account drug tolerance, accompanying pathologies and the patient's weight.
It is important to follow the recommended treatment period to avoid relapses. You can buy prescribed medicines at a cheap price in the online store.
Massage should be done carefully using friction methods. The areas under the shoulder blades and between the ribs should be thoroughly treated. At least 10-15 sessions are needed for the effect to appear.
During physiotherapy, attention is paid to exercises that strengthen the muscle corset, neck and lower back.
Ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory effect, warming patches and Kuznetsov's applicator are prescribed locally.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a degenerative pathology of vertebrae and discs. Vlasenko Alexander Adolfovich (neurologist, doctor of manual therapy with 30 years of experience) talks about osteochondrosis of the breast - symptoms, diagnosis and effective methods of treatment.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis called a "chameleon"?
The thoracic spine has a special feature - the ribs are attached to it. Due to this, it is less mobile than the neck and back. As a result, osteochondrosis in the breast area develops less due to the principle of "less mobility - less wear". But it's less developed - that doesn't mean it's easier to continue. And indeed it is. We are talking about chest pain. Since the area of pain in the thoracic spine coincides with the area of the heart, the symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. It is not for nothing that they say about thoracic osteochondrosis that it is a "chameleon". After all, it can manifest itself not only as a heart disease, but also as a lung, liver, stomach, gall bladder or pancreas disease. And here you can't make a mistake and ignore a heart attack or other serious diseases, for example, the pathology of the mammary glands in women. Such mistakes are costly, even if it all works out in the end. After all, it can "drive" a person to severe stress. Therefore, it is very important to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor who will understand everything and distinguish the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis from other pathologies. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are usually divided into two categories - radicular and reflex.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of damage in the movement segment of the spine. At the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of movements in the spine, occasional numbness in the arms or legs, headache, and fatigue. By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the result will not last long and recovery will come quickly.
Severe damage to an intervertebral disc causes severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the extent of the damage). These symptoms may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, with possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arm or leg. If these symptoms are present, urgent hospitalization in the hospital is necessary to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, it can spread to the shoulder, arm or head, numbness or weakness in the arm, headache, dizziness.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, pain occurs in the chest, spreads to the sternum or scapula, intensifies with breathing and movement, sometimes there is a feeling of shortness of breath. Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
When the lumbar-sacral spine is damaged, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, numbness or weakness may occur in the leg.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a single whole and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions is arbitrary. As a rule, the disease develops in the entire spine, but it manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Radicular symptoms
They occur as a result of the impact on the nerves coming from the spine.
Spinal nerves
There are many nerves that come out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve branches gradually and follows a certain area of the body with well-defined boundaries. This area is called segmental innervation zone. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and zone is numbered strictly according to each other. If a nerve is exposed, symptoms appear in the zone of segmental innervation corresponding to that nerve, rather than anywhere else—an arbitrary location.
Radicular symptoms include:
- Reduction or loss of reflexes;
- Violation of sensitivity;
- Muscle weakness;
- Radicular pain.
Innervation zones of thoracic segments
Osteochondrosis D1-D2- Causes pain in the shoulder, collarbone and armpit areas.
Osteochondrosis D3-D6- causes girdle-like pain in the upper part of the chest. It simulates pain in the heart, an angina attack. It causes pain in the mammary glands in women.
Osteochondrosis D7-D8- causes girdle pain at the level of the solar plexus. It simulates pain in the stomach, liver, gall bladder or pancreas. Reduces upper abdominal reflexes.
Osteochondrosis D9-D10- causes pain in the hypochondrium and upper abdomen. Sometimes the so-called "sharp" abdomen mimics the abdominal area - sharp pain in the abdomen. Reduces mid-abdominal reflexes.
Osteochondrosis D11-D12- causes pain in the groin area. Simulates pain in women's diseases, appendicitis and intestinal diseases. Reduces lower abdominal reflexes.
Reflex symptoms
Unlike radicular symptoms, reflex symptoms do not have clear boundaries. These can be: difficulty breathing, lack of air, pain during inhalation and exhalation, tremors and "gas" on the skin, intercostal neuralgia, pain in the chest. Dyspepsia is often observed - appetite worsens, nausea, heartburn, bloating, intestinal dysfunction occur. Due to pain, sleep is disturbed, insomnia occurs and there is a feeling of not getting enough sleep. It is difficult to move, especially in the morning. Coordination of movements is disturbed - this is reflected in the gait. General weakness, weakness. Sexual disorders. Irritation. Fatigue quickly. Various pains arise. Pressing pain in the chest. Pain between the shoulder blades. Pain in the hypochondrium. Pain when raising the arms. Pain when bending over or trying to stand up. Pain between the shoulder blades. In general, pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is usually divided into two types.
Dorsalgia- moderately severe, long-lasting pain in the back and chest with periods of intensification and weakening.
Dorsago- acute painful "lumbago" in this area.
- Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region depend on the stage of osteochondrosis.
- They get worse when bending over or trying to stand up.
- Symptoms often appear after 35-45 years.
- It is about 3 times more common in women than in men.
You have noticed, of course, that the radicular symptoms are quite clearly defined, while the reflex symptoms are very vague and non-specific. And, as you know, anything without clear definitions serves as a convenient cover for professional incompetence. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and the favorite concept among doctors of "age-related changes". Surely many of you are familiar with the situation where the doctor explains the problem as "reflex" or "age-related" processes. At such moments, most people rightly believe that the doctor simply does not understand what is happening and tries to cover his incompetence in the fog of these "magic words".
There was once a famous saying: "Every accident has a name, a surname and a duty. "Thus, each disease has its own symptoms. It is the doctor's duty to know them exactly. And then it will not be necessary to pour a fog and blame osteochondrosis of the thoracic region for everything. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and good treatment results will depend on it.
Stages of the disease
| Stage | Changes | Symptoms |
| First | Dehydration of discs causing loss of elasticity. Their height decreases, but their width increases - the intervertebral disc is gradually flattened. | The pain appears directly in the damaged ring. It can be a pull or a fire. |
| Second | The annulus fibrosus begins to disintegrate. Nerve roots are compressed, causing pain. | There is pain when moving. Discomfort occurs when holding a pose for a long time. |
| the third | The fibrous ring tears and causes a herniated disc to form. Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis develops. | There is pain when moving. Discomfort occurs when holding a pose for a long time. |
| Fourth | Vertebrae appear to rub against each other, which causes displacement of the intervertebral joints. The tissue surrounding the vertebrae becomes inflamed. Cartilage tissue is replaced by bone tissue, which reduces motor functions. Fibrosis appears. | There is pain when moving. Discomfort occurs when holding a pose for a long time. |
Phases of exacerbation and remission can be observed. The latter is often observed in the 4th stage.
Degrees of disease
This is a more modern classification of thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms used by specialists.
| Degrees | Changes and symptoms |
| First | Rupture of the intervertebral disc caused by sudden movement or excessive strain. Sharp pain similar to the passage of an electric current along the spine. Muscle tension. |
| Second | It is characterized by instability of the spine. Pain when moving. Protrusion. |
| the third | The pain is constant. Loss of sensation. Change in mileage. Severe headaches. Difficulty breathing. Tachycardia. |
| Fourth | The spine is unstable: the vertebrae slip and twist. Osteophytes grow, compressing spinal nerves and putting pressure on the spinal cord. |
Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause serious diseases that will be difficult to treat.
Diagnosis is the key to proper treatment
Today, there are a number of modern methods for hardware diagnosis of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of them are MRI and CT. But the main method is still clinical diagnosis - an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - the patient's complaints, MRI results and symptoms identified during the examination. This makes it possible to diagnose as accurately as possible and create an effective individual treatment program.
Who to contact, methods of examination of osteochondrosis
As a rule, patients with pain in the spine refer to a neurologist who can make a preliminary diagnosis based on complaints and neurological examination, and prescribe additional examination methods (x-ray of the spine, MRI, CT, general urinalysis). , general blood test) and draw up a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, should be aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired function of spinal roots;
- preventing the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine.
In the acute period, with severe paindrug treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors or blockade.
Physiotherapyis the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Exercise therapy is aimed at forming, correcting and strengthening the muscle corset; increased range of motion in the spine and joints; development of motor stereotype and correct posture; reduce the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved, metabolism is normalized and intervertebral space is increased, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find signs of osteochondrosis or if your lifestyle consists of sitting for a long time at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for an aggravation.
As you understand, osteochondrosis is a real "tangle" of symptoms, unraveling which the doctor will free you from pain and suffering. However, it is impossible to eliminate the changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" should be understood correctly. If you are interested in relieving pain and other suffering, then yes, it is absolutely possible. If you have an academic discussion about returning the vertebrae and discs to their original "newborn baby" appearance, no, the past cannot be brought back. You have to be realistic, then you won't fall for scammers.
Which treatment method is considered the main one?
Soft manual therapy is the main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can't do without it. The remaining types - massage, drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy - are helpful.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy methods eliminate swelling and inflammation, improve blood flow in the affected area, reduce or stop pain.
Magnetic laser, magnetic therapy, SMT with novocaine, ultrasound with hydrocortisone, etc.
Balneotherapy: Mud applications, ozokerite applications in affected areas, radon baths.
Exercise therapy and massage
The main method of treatment of osteochondrosis is therapeutic exercise. Gymnastics is regularly performed several times a day for 10-15 minutes. A massage course is prescribed to increase efficiency. Procedures help relax muscles, reduce pressure on vertebrae, improve metabolic processes and blood flow. Exercise therapy can be carried out independently at home, as well as in a clinic (individual and group lessons). Massage is performed by a qualified specialist in a clinic setting.
How does gentle hand therapy work?
The nutrition of the discs is directly related to the muscles surrounding the spine. In addition, the back muscles themselves are one of the constituent causes of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Gentle hand therapy is a special method that allows you to return the muscles to their natural physiology, relieve spasms, muscle tension and improve the nutrition of the discs.
Intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the proper functioning of muscles.
In addition, when treating using the hands, chiropractic:
- will release and correctly distribute the load from the affected vertebrae and discs;
- relaxes muscles and helps them return to their normal state;
- frees the patient from clamps;
- improve disk power supply;
- will restore the motor functions of the body;
- normalizes blood circulation.
Manual action mobilizes the body's internal forces and activates self-healing mechanisms.
Acupuncture
The technique consists of influencing biologically active points of the body with thin needles. The procedure reduces the manifestation of pain and inflammatory processes. Acupuncture is not painful and may cause minor discomfort.
Treatment of pathology in women
It is practically impossible to completely get rid of already advanced thoracic osteochondrosis, but it is quite possible to slow down or even stop the formation of the pathological degenerative-dystrophic process in the tissues of the moving segments of the spine using the means and methods of modern medicine. . The optimal therapeutic effect can be achieved only with a complex approach to the treatment of this pathology using drugs, various physiotherapeutic methods and targeted exercise therapy methods (physical therapy).
Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women are not much different from men. In the acute period of osteochondrosis of the thoracic segment of the spine, the patient needs intensive treatment of exacerbation, during which various drugs and physical procedures are used, which help to eliminate the pain syndrome and other negative manifestations in parallel. of the disease.
During remission, the patient should be prescribed maintenance treatment based on taking drugs that restore the osteochondral structure and physical therapy. In particularly severe cases, they sometimes resort to surgical intervention to stabilize the position of the spine.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
During an exacerbation, severe pain appears, spreading along the intercostal spaces. At this stage, it is necessary to maintain bed rest and reduce spinal mobility. Symptoms are eliminated with analgesics prescribed by the attending physician.
The treatment is completely safe.
Prevention
It is recommended to prevent disease and slow down degenerative processes:
- weight regulation;
- cycling, running, swimming, yoga and other sports;
- daily walks;
- take vitamin complexes and chondroprotectors;
- reduce stress on the back;
- timely treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Create comfortable conditions for sleeping and working to prevent relapses. Watch your weight and eat right. Continue your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and save it. Don't let things run their course. After recovery, try to have at least one maintenance session of gentle hand therapy every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Remember, advanced osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation. Remember: your health comes first!