Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine (OS) is not only the destruction of fibrous rings and bone elements, but also weakness of muscular structures. This form of pathology is uncommon and presents specific symptoms that may resemble an attack of angina or gastritis.
That is why it is so important to differentiate the disease by excluding other causes of back discomfort. We will tell you how to recognize the symptoms of the disease 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 less, and most of the load is borne by the sternum and ribs.
A lump in the throat with GOP osteochondrosis 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 distant 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 syndrome observed. There are two types: neurological and painful.
The first case is characterized by numbness in the upper extremities, crawling, spasms and reflex tension of the back muscles. In especially severe cases, there is difficulty breathing, a feeling of lump in the throat, heartburn and pressure in the epigastrium.
The pain syndrome can be acute and intense (dorsago) or prolonged and mild (dorsalgia), also manifesting 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 is used. 1. If the diagnosis is not confirmed by the results of MRI and radiography, the patient is assigned code M54 - back pain.
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 also called chest lumbago.
A dangerous symptom is the occurrence of pain in the anterior left side. If the attack is not provoked by thoracic osteochondrosis, it may be a sign of cardiac pathology. In this case, the person needs urgent medical attention, so it will be useful to know some of the distinguishing characteristics of chest pain.
So, in the back, the patient's well-being does not improve after taking medications "for the heart" and the ECG does not show changes in the rhythm. Also, discomfort increases sharply when coughing, tilting the upper body to the sides and forward.
Such manifestations of the thoracic form of the disease must be differentiated from other pathologies with similar symptoms. A neurologist does this by performing an ECG, x-ray, CT scan, and MRI of the spine. In particularly difficult cases, a thoracic surgeon is involved in the diagnosis.
back pain
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 disappears on its own after short movements.
The pain intensifies with deep and frequent breathing, bending and turning. In back pain, there are spasms of the back muscles and deterioration in the mobility of the cervicothoracic or lumbothoracic segments.
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 separately or simultaneously, reinforcing each other.
Provoking factors:
- limited diet, micronutrient deficiency;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports;
- back injuries;
- congenital anomalies in the structure of bone structures;
- obesity;
- infectious and inflammatory pathologies that can disrupt the diffuse nutrition of the vertebrae (ankylosing spondylitis, spinal tuberculosis);
- flat foot.
When osteochondrosis 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 thoracic form of the disease most often develops in office workers, students and schoolchildren who spend a lot of time sitting with their backs hunched. The thoracic type of osteochondrosis is dangerous for the heart muscle.
In women, predisposing factors for the onset of the disease are pregnancy, wearing high heels and back muscle weakness. Symptoms of pathology noticeably increase during menopause - due to a decrease in estrogen production. If hormone replacement therapy is started during this time, damage to the spine can be halted for many years.
Main treatment methods
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that leads to deformation of the intervertebral discs and disruption of the biomechanics of the skeleton as a whole. It is impossible to cure it, since simultaneously with the destruction many neurological and spinal disorders develop. Therefore, therapy for osteochondrosis is symptomatic.
The spinal dystrophy treatment regimen includes several types of medications.
What medications are used to combat the 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 the medicinal composition is unlikely to 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 blocks. To reduce pain and inflammation, ultraphonophoresis with analgesics, magnetic and UHF therapy 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 back discomfort and partially restore spinal biomechanics. 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 spine with specially selected exercises. Of course, traction works faster in osteochondrosis, but exercise therapy has a number of advantages: it relaxes and strengthens the back muscles, reduces the load on the discs, improves the patient's general well-being and improves 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 whirlpool.
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 compression of nerve fibers occurs, the patient needs complete rest and treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also recommended to take painkillers, 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 rubbings prepared on the basis of camphor alcohol, fir, juniper and thuja essential oils.
Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs help to cope with relapses. Compresses made from fresh burdock and cabbage leaves, lotions with decoction of linden flowers, birch buds or celery root give a good anti-inflammatory result.
For acute back pain, traditional healers recommend applying mustard plasters to 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 eliminate painful symptoms.
There are many good reviews about this method of dealing with exacerbation, like acupuncture. The procedure, carried out by a highly qualified specialist, perfectly relieves pain, calms and relaxes and stimulates the body's defenses. It helps both in the initial phase of the disease and in severely advanced forms.
Consequences of GOP osteochondrosis
If degenerative changes in the spine are not treated promptly, they progress rapidly 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 hernia of intervertebral discs causes compression of nerve fibers, arteries and spinal cord.
As a result of deterioration in blood circulation, the patient may develop paralysis of the limbs and brain functionality may deteriorate. Often the appearance of neurological disorders: Brown-Séquard and Personage-Turner syndromes, Adamkiewicz reaction, anterior spinal artery infarction.
Complications of GOP osteochondrosis include VSD (vegetative-vascular disorders complex).
Why is this type of osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main danger of thoracic spinal 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 protrusions and hernias.
The danger of the disease is also great in terms of the possible development of cardiac pathologies - advanced cardiac osteochondrosis often becomes the cause of arrhythmia, cardiovascular failure and myocardial infarction.
During an acute backlash attack, breathing problems may occur. Prolonged airflow restriction leads to destructive bronchitis, asthma and lung disease. The resulting hernias cause deterioration in the functioning of the stomach, pancreas, kidneys and liver.
Women suffering from thoracic osteochondrosis face a disorder of the reproductive system - for years they cannot conceive a child, without even suspecting that the cause of infertility lies in spinal dystrophy. Men also suffer from chest diseases - potency worsens, muscle tone decreases, strength in the arms is lost and a possible postponement of conscription into the army is possible.
Preventive measures
It's not difficult to avoid back problems. The main thing is to get used to daily physical activity. A little exercise in the morning and some active breaks during the workday will bring huge benefits.
It's good to swim, if you are overweight, be sure to lose weight, but without excessive zeal. The diet must be balanced and sufficient in calories. Additionally, you can take chondroprotectors.
To prevent spinal diseases, it is recommended to see 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 regular physical activity. As soon as we reduce activity, the body begins to age rapidly and acquire all kinds of diseases, including spinal dystrophy. Knowing this, it is not difficult to prevent pathology or delay the destruction that has already begun.