Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine (OS) is not only the destruction of fibrous rings and bone elements, but also weakness of muscle structures. This form of pathology is uncommon and has specific symptoms that may resemble an attack of angina or gastritis.
Therefore, it is so important to differentiate the disease by excluding other causes of back discomfort. We'll tell you how to recognize the symptoms of illness and carry out effective therapy.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the hip joint, unlike lumbar and cervical osteochondrosis, is rarely diagnosed. This is explained by the anatomy of the thoracic region: it has more elements, they are smaller and thinner, and they also have long processes. The mobility of this segment of the ridge is noticeably lower, and the lion's share of the load is taken by the sternum and ribs.
A lump in the throat with osteochondrosis of the GOP appears due to spasm of the muscles of the pharynx and neck.
The physiological curvature of the GOP, directed convexly backward, also plays an important role. In this case, the main pressure falls on the front area of the discs, leaving the far part in relative peace. This means that developed protrusions and hernias appear outside the ridge, without affecting the spinal cord.
Types of disease
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the observed syndrome. There are two types: neurological and pain.
The first case is characterized by numbness of the upper extremities, crawling, twitching and reflex tension of the muscles on the back. In especially severe cases, difficulty breathing occurs, a feeling of a lump in the throat, heartburn, and pressure in the epigastrium appear.
The pain syndrome can be sharp and intense (dorsago) or long-lasting and mild (dorsalgia), and also manifest itself as intercostal neuralgia.
To describe the destructive effects of osteochondrosis, there is a code according to ICD-10. For children it corresponds to the value M42. 0; for adults the code M42. 1 is used. If the diagnosis is not confirmed by MRI and X-ray results, the patient is given code M54 - dorsalgia.
Dorsago
This term refers to sharp, sudden pain in the sternum. They can be so strong that they make breathing and movement difficult. They are otherwise called chest lumbago.
A dangerous symptom is the occurrence of pain in the left side in front. If the attack is not provoked by thoracic osteochondrosis, it may be a sign of heart pathology. In this case, the person requires urgent medical attention, so it will be useful to know some of the distinctive features of a chest pain.
Thus, with dorsago, the patient’s well-being does not improve after taking "heart" medications, and the ECG does not show any changes in the rhythm. In addition, discomfort increases sharply when coughing, bending the upper body to the sides and forward.
Such manifestations of the chest form of the disease must be differentiated from other pathologies with similar symptoms. A neurologist does this by conducting an ECG, radiography, CT and MRI of the spine. In particularly difficult cases, a thoracic surgeon is involved in the diagnosis.
Dorsalgia
Dorsalgia is called back pain. The peculiarity of this syndrome is the duration of its course and the lack of expression of the clinical picture, while the main symptoms do not extend beyond the chest.
The disease develops gradually, tormenting the patient with unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blade area at night. In the morning, the discomfort goes away on its own after short movements.
The pain intensifies with deep and frequent breathing, bending and turning. With dorsalgia, spasms of the back muscles and deterioration in the mobility of the cervicothoracic or lumbar-thoracic segments are observed.
Predisposing factors for the onset of the disease
The thoracic form of osteochondrosis never appears on its own. It is preceded by unfavorable circumstances, which can exist either separately or simultaneously, reinforcing each other.
Provoking factors:
- limited diet, micronutrient deficiency;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports;
- back injuries;
- congenital anomalies of the structure of bone structures;
- obesity;
- infectious and inflammatory pathologies that can disrupt the diffuse nutrition of the vertebrae (ankylosing spondylitis, spinal tuberculosis);
- flat feet.
When osteochondrosis of the osteochondrosis is diagnosed in an elderly person, doctors talk about the inevitable aging of the body. But if the disease develops in young patients, especially teenagers, this indicates an incorrect lifestyle and adherence to bad habits.
The chest form of the disease most often develops in office workers, students and schoolchildren who spend a lot of time in a sitting position with a bent back. The thoracic type of osteochondrosis is dangerous for the heart muscle.
In women, predisposing factors to the onset of the disease are pregnancy, wearing high heels, and weak back muscles. The symptoms of the pathology noticeably increase during menopause - due to a decrease in estrogen production. If hormone replacement therapy is started during this period, damage to the spine can be stopped for many years.
Main methods of treatment
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that leads to deformation of the intervertebral discs and a disorder of the biomechanics of the skeleton as a whole. It is impossible to cure it, since simultaneously with the destruction a lot of neurological and vertebral disorders develop. Therefore, therapy for osteochondrosis is symptomatic.
The treatment regimen for spinal dystrophy includes several types of medications.
What medications are used to combat pathology? First of all, these are NSAIDs in tablets and injections.
Ointments and creams for osteochondrosis of the hip joint are ineffective, since the fibrous disc is hidden behind the thickness of the muscles and it is unlikely that the medicinal composition will be able to penetrate so deeply.
If NSAIDs are contraindicated or do not have the desired effect, glucocorticosteroids are used, including in the form of paravertebral blockades. To reduce pain and inflammation, ultraphonophoresis with analgesics, magnetic therapy, and UHF are prescribed. Muscle spasms are relieved with muscle relaxants.
Non-drug treatment
The most effective method of combating thoracic osteochondrosis is massage. It helps to relax tense muscles, relieve discomfort in the back, and partially restore the biomechanics of the spinal column. You can carry out the procedure yourself by purchasing a suitable massager for your home.
Traction (stretching) of the spine helps reduce the load on damaged discs. With this procedure, it is possible to relieve pinched nerve roots and significantly improve the patient’s condition. It is noticed that the patient feels relief after the first session.
At home, it is recommended to stretch the spinal column using specially selected exercises. Of course, traction works faster in the case of osteochondrosis, but exercise therapy has a number of advantages: it relaxes and strengthens the back muscles, reduces the load on the discs, improves the general well-being of the patient and lifts the mood.
There are many interesting and effective complexes designed for the thoracic spine. Very good exercises that do not require sports training and are accessible to anyone. It is recommended to start training with the simplest movements, gradually increasing the complexity of the exercises.
Recently, a basic complex containing universal movements that restore the functionality of all body systems has gained great popularity. Gymnastics is well complemented by swimming in the pool and hydromassage.
Actions for exacerbation of osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs as a chronic pathology and the frequency of relapses directly depends on the degree of damage to the discs and the patient’s lifestyle.
During an exacerbation, during which there is pinching of nerve fibers, the patient needs complete rest and treatment with anti-inflammatory medications. It is also recommended to take analgesics, vitamin and mineral complexes with a high content of calcium and B vitamins.
For relapses of osteochondrosis, folk remedies are very effective. Non-traditional treatment includes various ointments and rubs prepared on the basis of camphor alcohol, essential oils of fir, juniper and thuja.
Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs will help cope with relapse. Compresses made from fresh burdock and cabbage leaves, lotions with a decoction of linden flowers, birch buds or celery root give a good anti-inflammatory result.
For acute back pain, traditional healers recommend placing mustard plasters on the area of the affected vertebrae. It is difficult to say how effective and safe this method is, but for many it really helps to get rid of painful symptoms.
There are many good reviews about this method of dealing with exacerbation, such as acupuncture. The procedure, performed by a highly qualified specialist, perfectly relieves pain, calms and relaxes, and stimulates the body's defenses. Helps both at the initial stage of the disease and in severely advanced forms.
Consequences of osteochondrosis GOP
If degenerative changes in the spine are not treated promptly, they quickly progress and lead to serious disorders in the body. The most common complications of osteochondrosis are:
- disturbances in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diseases of the lungs and bronchi;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- deterioration of blood circulation in the extremities.
The development of protrusion and herniation of intervertebral discs causes compression of nerve fibers, arteries and spinal cord.
As a result of deteriorating blood circulation, the patient may develop paralysis of the limbs and the functionality of the brain may deteriorate. Often the appearance of neurological disorders: Brown-Séquard and Personage-Turner syndromes, Adamkiewicz reaction, infarction of the anterior spinal artery.
Complications of osteochondrosis of GOP include VSD (complex of vegetative-vascular disorders).
Why is this type of osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main danger of thoracic spine dystrophy is making an incorrect diagnosis and prescribing inappropriate treatment. While the patient takes pills for the heart or stomach, the destruction of the discs progresses more and more, leading to protrusion and hernias.
The danger of the disease is also great in terms of the possible development of heart pathologies - advanced osteochondrosis of the heart often becomes the cause of arrhythmia, cardiovascular failure, and myocardial infarction.
During an acute attack of dorsago, breathing problems may occur. Long-term airflow restriction leads to destructive bronchitis, asthma and lung diseases. The resulting hernias cause deterioration in the functioning of the stomach, pancreas, kidneys and liver.
Women suffering from thoracic osteochondrosis are faced with a disorder of the reproductive system - they cannot conceive a child for years, without even suspecting that the cause of infertility lies in spinal dystrophy. Men also suffer from chest illness - potency deteriorates, muscle tone decreases, strength in the arms is lost, and a possible deferment from conscription into the army is possible.
Preventive measures
It is not difficult to avoid problems with the spine. The main thing is to accustom yourself to daily physical activity. A little exercise early in the morning and a few active breaks during the workday will bring enormous benefits.
It’s good to go swimming, if you are overweight, be sure to lose weight, but without excessive zeal. The diet should be balanced and sufficient in calories. Additionally, you can take chondroprotectors.
In order to prevent spinal diseases, it is recommended to find a qualified massage therapist, do yoga or stretching.
Conclusion
Even with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, you can live to the fullest, forgetting about the disease for many years. The main thing is to remember about regular physical activity. As soon as we reduce activity, the body begins to quickly age and acquire all sorts of ailments, including spinal dystrophy. Knowing this, it is not difficult to prevent pathology or slow down the destruction that has already begun.