The human spine is literally his support. It is designed to withstand heavy loads. If the body is exposed to various negative influences, thoracic osteochondrosis develops.
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 admissibility of the use of the term "osteochondrosis of the spine" is now being challenged, as is the write-off of all back pain to this problem.
In the international classification of diseases from 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 as often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If the pain appears in the left side of the chest, even if it is intensified by inspiration associated with movement, electrocardiography is mandatory to rule out acute coronary syndrome.
What is the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the rarest form of unnatural changes in the spine. The fact is that unlike the lumbar and cervical region, the thoracic region of the spine is supported and strengthened by the ribs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other forms of the condition because the thoracic spine is reinforced with ribs.
The symptoms are often similar to those of heart disease as well as pleural disease.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of X-ray, CT, MRI. Treatment is chosen to relieve symptoms and prevent further breakdown 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 a long sedentary state.
Such osteochondrosis provokes a change in both the vertebrae and nearby organs. The onset of the disease is usually mild, without sharp pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic region due to its peculiarity to present for other diseases.
Quite often this pathology can be confused with:
- angina pectoris;
- diseasesGastrointestinal tract(gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- diseaseshearts;
- inflammationappendix;
- renalcolic.
A thorough examination soon reveals that the symptoms of other diseases are not confirmed until there are clear signs of one of the degrees of osteochondrosis.
The spread of the disease
The risk group includes workers of all kinds. Thoracic osteochondrosis (GO) is most common in people over 55, but among young people you can see the first signs of the disease. In the sample examined by doctors, 38% are men and 62% are women.
The initial stage of HO occurs in 71% of subjects. Osteochondrosis is the most common cause of disability in the working population. There are 33 to 165 cases per 100 workers per year. These. in many cases, one person has multiple relapses within a year, each time he or she needs sick leave.
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 are gradually flattened and modified, they are still able to withstand the load, but the person is already experiencing unpleasant sensations.
- Cracked dehydratedfibrousdisc rings. When changing the position of the body, severe pain is felt.
- The holethe outer shell of the disc, the nucleus pulposus comes out, forming a hernia that touches the nerve roots extending from the spine, in such a situation acute pain occurs.
- Convergenceadjacent vertebrae, their displacement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several stages:
- Illness1 degreediagnosed with rupture of the intervertebral disc when acute sternal pain comparable to an electric shock occurs while the muscles are extremely tense.
- 2nd degreecharacterized 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 occurs with a constant alternation of exacerbations and remissions.
- IN3 degreesthe pain is constant, as the nerve endings are subject to constant irritation. At this stage there is tingling in the extremities, severe headache, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to general ill health.
- IN4 degreesirreversible transformations are observed in the vertebrae, after their convergence and modification the spine loses its mobility in this place.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, an appropriate method of treatment is chosen.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis occurs for a number of reasons, but the most common are:
- Too muchweightbody. The spine is not able to maintain too much weight at all times.
- Wrongnutrition.Due to the low consumption of calcium-containing foods and the simultaneous consumption of food that provokes its extraction from the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae gradually wear out. In addition, if the diet lacks enough saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral discs, which lack these important micronutrients, suffer.
- Smoking.Tobacco use disrupts metabolic processes in the body and this has a significant impact on the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- Violationpose.Systemic disruption of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which in turn provokes osteochondrosis.
- He sat downLifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of any physical activity lead to the fact that the muscles of the body lose their tone. They relax and cannot fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Increased physicalload.Most often they happen to professional athletes, but in everyday conditions there are such situations. If there is a powerful effect on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the vertebrae, the formation of bulges and hernias.
- Geneticpredisposition. Quite often such 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. The bone tissue becomes porous and fragile, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformation.
- Traumaback. Even a minor injury to the spine does not go unnoticed and causes transformations in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders in the body, hypothermia and infectious diseases can trigger the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Because thoracic osteochondrosis is similar in symptoms to many other diseases, it is difficult to distinguish its symptoms. However, doctors agree that the obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be considered:
- pain in betweenribs;
- pain in the upper partextremities,accompanied by a feeling of tingling and numbness;
- deep painbreathing;
- pain on experienceto pick uphand;
- inability to perform from body to bodyslopein one direction or another;
- convulsionsin the muscles;
- pallorskin due to improper functioning of nerve endings;
- feelinglumbagobehind.
Attacks of pain increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature when turning the body.
Because the pain can radiate to the front of the sternum, it is often confused with heart pain.
| Vertebra № | With which parts of the body it is connected | What causes |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmia |
| D2 | Palms, wrists, hands | Pain in the chest, palms and hands |
| D3 | Chest, pleura, lungs, bronchi | Pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, bronchitis |
| D4 | Bile duct and bladder | Jaundice, gallstones |
| D5 | solar plexus | Jaundice, poor blood clotting |
| D6 | Liver | Ulcers, gastritis, digestive problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Stools, indigestion, 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 | Ureters | Kidney disease, urine problems |
| D12 | Fallopian tubes, inguinal rings, colon and small intestine | Infertility, genital diseases, stool and digestive problems |
In osteochondrosis of the chest, 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 is common in people who have to spend a long time in one position, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - in contrast to dorsago develops imperceptibly, in about a month. It is characterized by throbbing pain and chest discomfort. The pain intensifies in the dark, with deep breathing and uncomfortable body position.
| Where does it hurt? | How it manifests |
|---|---|
| Chest | Tightness in the back and chest, difficulty breathing, pain when breathing and bending, sometimes felt in the heart and left sternum |
| Neck | Hands are numb, voice is hoarse, breathing is difficult, head hurts, dizziness, vision and hearing fall |
| Small on the back | Cold legs syndrome, lower limb cramps, increased sweating, abnormalities in the genitourinary system, low back pain - dull or sharp |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- feelinglumpin the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus, occur if the disease affects the upper chest;
- symptomsPancreatitis,cholecystitis occurs when the middle chest area is affected;
- pathologyintestinesis able to simulate the defeat of the lower chest;
- intercostal spaceneuralgia,resulting from damage to the roots of the intercostal nerve, the pain in this case is from shingles. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of the internal organs;
- pulmonarysyndrome - is expressed by symptoms of hypoxia and congestion in the lungs.
In the course of the disease, several and almost all symptoms can be observed simultaneously, which change depending on the stage of thoracic osteochondrosis.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | Myocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Less severe, more often mild pain | Strong to unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Long: a day or more | A few hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| Location | Left sternum, back, area between the shoulder blades | Neck, behind the sternum | Neck, behind the sternum |
Diagnosis
The main methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- X-rays.In the images obtained 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 full 3D model of the spine.
- NeurophysiologicalReview. Tendon reflexes as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography) are assessed.
- Researchbloodto determine the level of calcium in it.
As osteochondrosis of the chest is quite difficult to diagnose, you need to know its main symptoms in order to consult a doctor in time.
First aid for exacerbations
If you need to get rid of an attack in a short time, experts recommend that you follow a number of recommendations.
First of all, the area where the pain syndrome manifests itself needs to be warmed. For this it is better to use special medical ointments. Doctors strongly do not recommend the use of herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of severe burns. Wool scarf or shawl are best suited for a warm compress.
Then you need to take a position on the body that will not provoke the manifestation of unpleasant sensations. It is advisable to lie on a hard surface such as the floor.
During exacerbations, a tight bandage should be applied to the chest.
Taking a drug with an analgesic effect 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 told about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a set of the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatorynon-steroidal drugs - help to suppress inflammation and relieve pain. If necessary, hormonal preparations are added.
- Muscle relaxants- Relax the muscles that are tense.
- Soothingdrugs - to reduce anxiety and irritability caused by constant pain.
- Diureticmedicines to relieve swelling.
- Medicinesto stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Drugs prescribed to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissues - insufficient evidence, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncturists are able to relieve the pain of osteochondrosis by affecting certain areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- Guidetherapy. 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 a herniated disc is permitted.
- Ultrasoundtherapy.
- electromagnetictherapy.
- Mud treatment.
- Stretching.Thanks to this method, the muscles and spine are stretched 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 herniated disc has formed, surgery is rarely necessary.
The diet should include dishes that are natural chondroprotectors - jelly, jelly, puddings, strong broths made from lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is essential for maintaining the health of the spine. This type of activity allows you to evenly distribute the load throughout the body, helps to align the spine, strengthen the muscles of the back and generally improve the health of the body. However, it is worth remembering that in the presence of a hernia, such a method of recovery is excluded while the exacerbation is taking place.
Physiotherapy
If you are diagnosed with 1st degree osteochondrosis of the chest, regular exercise will allow you to deal with the problem without resorting to medication. In addition, in order to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to perform gymnastics for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises daily:
- tilt the body forward, consistently bending the lower limbs;
- perform side bends, alternating with raising your arms;
- lift the upper and lower limbs in a supine position at the same time;
- lean your body forward, reaching with your hands to the foot on the opposite side.
Each of the exercises is repeated 10 times. It is allowed to do 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 a backrest. Inhale and pull your shoulders back so that your shoulders are as close to each other as possible. Bend your lower back slightly.
- Stand on all fours. Lift your right leg and left arm off the floor, stand up and remove. You should hold this position for 15 seconds. Then take a starting position and do the same on the opposite limbs.
- Perform the "cat" exercise. To do this, you also need to take a position, standing on all fours, leaning on your lower back and leaning up.
Each should be done 15-20 times. If you experience painful sensations during an exercise, it is better not to do it.
Once the muscular corset becomes stronger, the specialist will recommend that you move 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 classes.
Consequences and complications
Complications with the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, as the disease is initially latent and asymptomatic, can be recognized when it is significantly advanced. The following complications are distinguished:
- narrowingspinal canal;
- overgrowthvertebral bone tissue;
- spondyloarthritis(thoracoarthritis, dorsarthrosis);
- inflammationnerve roots of the spine;
- vegetative-vasculardystonia.
The nature and severity of complications depend on the timeliness and correctness of treatment. At the same time, it is more often possible to avoid the consequences at a younger age.
Methods of prevention
As such, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to take care of the spine in general to prevent any changes in it. Therefore, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Not to allowinjurythe spine. 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.
- Perform a set of specialsgymnasticexercise. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral discs do not suffer from a lack of necessary micronutrients. When sedentary, you should get up at least once an hour and do a little warm-up.
- At the slightest signs characteristic of spinal diseases (tingling, numbness, lumbago), you should apply forconsultationto a neurologist.
It is necessary to take care of the health of the spine, to adhere to moderate physical activity, to avoid bad habits, to eat a balanced diet and to drink more fluids. All this will help prevent changes in the vertebrae and the discs between them and will keep the spine in working order for a long time.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Which doctor treats?
At the first symptoms of the pathology you should contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. To prescribe a comprehensive treatment, you will need additional consultation with a traumatologist (if the cause of the disease is bruising, trauma, fractures), osteopath (determines the area of the spinal lesion), rheumatologist (inflammation of the connective tissue).
How long does the exacerbation last?
The duration of the acute phase can be from 3 to 14 days. In the absence of therapeutic measures, recurrences may recur constantly, provoking gradual damage to new areas.
In what position to sleep?
Experts recommend taking a lateral position in the position of the embryo. You are also allowed to sleep on your back, but in this case the internal organs can put pressure on the chest. Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck pain.