Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine are a kind of human reward for standing walking. Other mammals are known not to suffer from osteochondrosis, as their spinal column is located horizontally to the earth's surface. Vertical loads during walking lead to the gradual destruction of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs and contribute to the displacement of the vertebrae into a dangerous position.
In the thoracic region, such processes occur less often than in the sacral and cervical region, but this does not decrease the danger of this disease. This article will discuss in detail the problems of the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, as well as elements related to the prevention of this disease.
Characteristics of thoracic osteochondrosis
The thoracic spine is characterized by low mobility, which reduces the likelihood of degenerative processes in this area. However, cases of this disease are regularly registered by orthopedists and traumatologists in representatives of different age groups.
Over the past few decades, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of osteochondrosis in civilized countries. Doctors believe that the main reasons for this trend are an inactive lifestyle, poor diet and the general environmental context of the planet.
Women suffer from thoracic osteochondrosis 2-3 times more often than men. This is due to the peculiarities of female anatomy and physiology. Additional influencing factors are: childbirth, walking on heels, general weakness of the musculoskeletal system in women.
In both sexes, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region causes painful symptoms and reduces mobility. The progression of the pathology is fraught with compression of the nerve endings, which inevitably affects the state of the internal organs. Advanced cases of the disease are often accompanied by disturbances in the work of blood vessels and the heart, breathing problems.
Anatomically, 12 thoracic vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternum in a strong and inactive frame structure that protects the internal organs from mechanical stress. In the initial stage, the disease almost does not cause severe symptoms, but in the later stages the manifestations of the pathology are so diverse that sometimes this prevents an accurate diagnosis. No wonder osteochondrosis is often referred to as "chameleon disease".
The most common causes of thoracic osteochondrosis are trauma, weakness of the muscular system, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders, excessive load on the back and genetic predisposition. The disease develops gradually, which, on the one hand, allows you to start treatment in time and stop degenerative processes, but on the other hand, prevents the early diagnosis of pathology.
Stages of the disease
Doctors classify thoracic osteochondrosis according to the stages of development:
Phase 1.The intervertebral discs lose their elastic qualities, decrease in size, but do not yet move from their anatomical position.
Phase 2.There is a further decrease in the height of the discs and the spine itself loses its stability. Cracks form in the annulus, discs shift and put pressure on nerve endings, blood vessels and muscles. The second stage is characterized by severe back pain and neurological symptoms.
Phase 3.Degenerative processes can lead to the development of protrusions and ruptures of the annulus fibrosus. In these cases, herniated discs are diagnosed. Discs lose their cushioning properties and cease to perform their proper anatomical functions. The vertebrae themselves also suffer - they join together, collapse and form osteophytes - dangerous bone growths.
In addition to hard tissue, muscles, ligaments and tendons are affected. Muscles are blocked, spasmodic phenomena occur in them. The body tries to immobilize the affected area as much as possible to reduce pain - this leads to muscle congestion and muscle atrophy.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
As already mentioned, in the onset phase, thoracic osteochondrosis manifests itself weakly or does not manifest itself at all. As the pathology progresses, periodic pains arise between the shoulder blades: symptoms intensify after physical activity or, conversely, after prolonged rest. Often, the pain bothers patients in the morning after waking up and subsides within an hour. Sometimes the pain travels along the intercostal nerve, radiating to the chest when coughing, sneezing, or running.
Typical signs
In 2-3 stages, the most indicative symptom of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is constant aching pain in the interscapular area. Chest pains are also quite typical: the sensations resemble an attack of angina pectoris with coronary artery disease or heart failure.
The similarity of symptoms to heart disease is a fairly common cause of misdiagnosis. However, it is quite simple to distinguish pain in degenerative processes of the spine from cardiac symptoms: nitroglycerin and similar drugs that block angina attacks, with osteochondrosis, do not in any way alleviate the patient's condition.
Other symptoms characteristic of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Stiffness of the trunk muscles during deep breathing (back pain) - as if the body was squeezed with a circle;
- Dorsago - severe pain in the chest (so-called "low back pain");
- Feeling of goosebumps and numbness in the hands (in the presence of radicular syndrome);
- Intercostal pain during walking and physical activity (intercostal neuralgia): with inflammation of the nerve endings, the pain becomes constant;
- Spasms in the thoracic back;
- Pain from raising the arms, turning the trunk and taking deep breaths.
The stages of the disease directly influence the intensity of the symptoms. For patients from a therapeutic point of view, it is important not to eliminate pain with non-traditional drugs and methods (analgesics, antispasmodics, various ointments, compresses and heating pads), but to visit the clinic and find out the cause of the pain from a doctor. Self-treatment for osteochondrosis is rarely effective and in some cases even aggravates the course of the disease.
Rare symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic area is often disguised as other pathologies, causing their symptoms. This complicates the diagnosis and often leads to inadequate treatment.
The atypical manifestations of the disease are very diverse:
- Signs of ischemia, heart attack, heart attack (ECG or other tests should be performed for differential diagnosis);
- Pain reminiscent of breast diseases in women: to rule out the presence of neoplasms, you should be examined by a mammologist;
- Pain reminiscent of gastritis, colitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, hepatitis - to exclude these diseases, a diagnosis is prescribed by a gastroenterologist;
- Pain in the paroxysmal girdle corresponding to renal colic or other diseases of the urinary system.
Urinary and reproductive system disorders are also possible. Women have anorgasmia, painful and heavy periods (menorrhagia) and sometimes infertility. Men suffer from erectile dysfunction. Doctors do not always manage to find the true cause of these pathologies, and therefore the treatment of reproductive diseases does not give positive dynamics.
Sometimes, with osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, pressure surges, toothache and headache, sleep disturbances, tinnitus are observed. Psychoemotional disorders are not excluded: irritability, depression, crying, anxiety.
Diagnostics, therapy and prevention
External examinations, palpation and range of motion tests are performed to detect the disease. It is important to find out in detail from the patient the duration of symptoms, their nature and concomitant manifestations of the disease.
The following procedures are prescribed:
- X-ray of the spine;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity (if necessary);
- Blood and urine tests;
- Myelography;
- ECG (to rule out heart disease).
After diagnosis, a treatment regimen is developed. There is no single protocol for the treatment of osteochondrosis: health procedures depend on the patient's condition, age, physical condition and the state of the immune system.
The main goal of treatment is to minimize the consequences of degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue and prevent the development of complications. Therapy is generally outpatient, with the exception of particularly serious clinical situations. Conservative therapy is mainly practiced.
Medication
Drugs are prescribed only for severe pain syndrome and inflammatory processes. It is better to use drugs in the form of external ointments, less often tablets, intramuscular or epidural injections are prescribed.
Most types of topical medications:
- Analgesics;
- Anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
- Vitamin complexes;
- Steroids.
Experienced therapists will never offer purely drug therapy. Once the pain and inflammation have subsided, the drug is stopped.
Physiotherapy, physical therapy, massage
These methods play a leading role in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the thoracic spine. These techniques eliminate pain, strengthen ligaments and muscles, restore and stimulate blood circulation, metabolic processes.
Popular physiotherapy methods:
- Magnetotherapy;
- Electro- and phonophoresis;
- Laser exposure;
- Amplipulse Therapy;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Paraffin applications;
- Kinesio taping;
- Mud therapy;
- Balneotherapy;
- Hypothermia;
- Hirudotherapy, treatment with bee venom.
The main advantage of physiotherapy is its safety. Procedures can be prescribed at any age, with almost any concomitant disease. A separate area of physiotherapy is reflexology (acupuncture). The method is effective, but requires the presence of a professional specialist.
Physiotherapy is an obligatory stage in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. Gymnastics strengthens the muscular system, restores the normal anatomical position of the vertebral structures, reduces pressure on the nerve endings and prevents the development of protrusions and hernias of the intervertebral discs.
Complexes of exercises should be performed regularly and for a long time - only in this case they will produce a noticeable therapeutic effect. Ideally, sessions should be conducted under the guidance of an instructor, as any wrong movement can hurt and cause pain.
Massage (manual and hardware effects) has the same therapeutic tasks as physical therapy: pain relief, improvement of blood flow, muscle strengthening. In addition to the impact with the hands of a specialist, they practice the use of massagers, applicators, orthopedic devices.
Root treatment
Surgery for osteochondrosis of the breast in modern medical institutions is used in exceptional cases - when there is a real danger of pinching the spinal cord or there are dangerous protrusions and hernias. Spine surgery is always an additional risk, so interventions are rarely performed and only by experienced surgeons.
Prevention
Preventing disease is much easier than long-term (and sometimes life-long) therapy. Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot reverse degenerative processes, it can only minimize the consequences of the pathology and eliminate acute symptoms.
For this reason, the prevention of osteochondrosis should be approached from childhood. The development of the disease is hindered by: correct posture, balanced nutrition, correct alternation of physical activity and rest, sleeping on a comfortable bed. A positive role is played by the timely diagnosis of the disease and the strict implementation of the doctor's recommendations.