Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

23 May 2021

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is much less common compared to a similar pathology affecting adjacent segments. This is due to the strengthening effect of the chest - a strong and flexible frame made of ribs supports the intervertebral joints well. Even though osteochondrosis develops in this segment, it rarely reaches the late stages. The ribs partially relieve the load on the cartilaginous discs, preventing them from collapsing under intense and prolonged stress.

Osteochondrosis of the breast often develops in men - naturally they have to do more difficult and harmful work. But if a woman is in similar working conditions, her risk of osteochondrosis increases significantly. Women's ligaments and muscles are naturally more flexible and stretchy, which protects the weaker sex from degenerative damage to the breast.

In men, on the contrary, already in adulthood there is an "ossification" of all movable joints - first of all, such changes are observed in the intercostal joints. Therefore, the clinical picture develops gradually, as it is associated with slow lesions of the joints between the ribs and vertebrae. The earlier a person determines the first symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, the more effective and shorter the subsequent treatment will be.

Symptoms

Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs rarely, even without small manifestations, but in the early stages, patients usually simply do not notice the signs of the disease. Any discomfort is attributed to banal fatigue, resulting from prolonged work or uncomfortable posture. But the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine have one insidious property - to develop by leaps and bounds.

That is, the progression of manifestations does not occur gradually, but suddenly - under the influence of external factors. Their development is subject to a certain mechanism that occurs in the joints between the vertebrae and the ribs:

Over the course of a person's life, the mobility of the breast decreases - this is due to the thickening of the connective tissue that connects adjacent bones.
From a long and heavy load, metabolic products accumulate in it, leading to damage to "soft" structures - ligaments and cartilage.
In the intercostal joints, they begin to be replaced by bone tissue, which forms small growths at the site of the defects.
First, these thorns begin to irritate the nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord in the quarter. From the impact on them, a reflex contraction of the surrounding muscles occurs - a spasm.
It worsens reduced mobility by making the rib cage less flexible and elastic. From these changes, the nutrition of the surrounding tissues changes, as their blood supply deteriorates.
A vicious circle is gradually formed - impaired blood circulation deprives soft tissues of the possibility of rapid recovery. If the load continues to act, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine gradually develops.

The rate of progression of the disease depends on the severity of the damaging factors and the capabilities of the body - in most patients it remains in the early stages until old age.

First degree

In the early stages, it is difficult to establish thoracic osteochondrosis - the symptoms of the disease are still too nonspecific. Most patients miss the first degree of the disease and only see the doctor when severe symptoms develop. But with a careful attitude to your health, signs of pathology can be easily identified:

Since the soft tissues are compacted in the area of the joints between the ribs and the vertebrae, their flexibility and elasticity decrease. Therefore, when stretching or exercising, there is pain and tightening in the chest region, which occurs between the shoulder blades.
A similar sound can be heard in the collarbone or breastbone, where the cartilage and connective tissue are also thickened.
With them, the flexibility of the shoulder girdle is disturbed, which is manifested by difficulty in placing the hands behind the back. It becomes difficult for the patient to perform certain movements - scratching his back, bringing the shoulder blades together.
There is a feeling of discomfort in any part of the chest, but more often in the interscapular region. Most of the nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord in this section are projected onto it.
Resistance to prolonged physical work and maintaining posture decreases - a feeling of fatigue in the back quickly appears.
There is a decrease in the depth of breathing - when you try to take a deep breath, its restriction is observed.

At this stage, the disease can be safely treated at home, since irreversible changes in the soft tissues of the joint area have not yet formed.

Second degree

As the influence of negative factors persists, signs of thoracic osteochondrosis begin to intensify - it is at this point that patients usually seek help. The disease begins to significantly limit the activity of a person - the symptoms interfere not only during labor, but also during rest. Their appearance is associated with the formation of persistent changes leading to ossification of the costal-vertebral joints:

Pain, which results from the pressure exerted on the nerve roots, already appears among the symptoms. He has certain characteristics - a burning or pulling figure, a connection with physical activity or prolonged uncomfortable posture.
Unpleasant sensations are usually determined between the shoulder blades, from where they spread along the ribs. The pain impulse is always one-sided.
The intensity of this symptom completely depends on the movements of the trunk or breathing - even with calm breathing, an increase in pain is observed.
The disease is distinguished from ordinary intercostal neuralgia by the persistence of symptoms - in the first case, the pain syndrome passes on its own and quickly (within a few minutes). Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is distinguished by the duration of pain - it is continuous and only decreases at rest.
Discomfort and stiffness in the chest increase, resulting in decreased tolerance for exercise. It becomes more difficult for the patient to perform work associated with prolonged stress.

At home, it is almost impossible to eliminate the symptoms at this stage - they try to use a long course of drugs, combined with physiotherapy procedures, for treatment.

Third degree

pain between the shoulder blades with thoracic osteochondrosis

At the final stage of the disease, there is a strong deformation of the joints between the ribs and vertebrae. This puts pressure on the surrounding vessels and nerves, which are directed to the internal organs. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease acquire unusual features characteristic of another pathology:

The pain syndrome persists, acquiring an intense and continuous character. Lumbago between the shoulder blades and along the ribs bothers the patient even at rest, which is associated with constant pressure on the nerve roots.
There are areas of altered tenderness in the abdomen and chest - they look like stripes along the ribs. They are characterized by numbness, tingling or "crawling" sensations.
There are periodic reflex cramps of the abdominal muscles, accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
Since the nerves of internal organs are involved in the process, symptoms of their defeat may occur. Most often, false attacks of angina, liver or kidney colic are observed, which simulate diseases of similar organs.
Osteochondrosis of the chest often leads to the formation of irritable bowel syndrome - disorders of the digestive tract, the causes of which were not identified during the examination.

Even long-term treatment will not allow you to get rid of the symptoms permanently if the patient has kept the disease to this degree. Supportive treatment will only reduce the signs of the disease, which is firmly entrenched in the thoracic spine.

Treatment

How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis? The tactic of assistance is based on the duration of the disease - the more pronounced the symptoms, the more stages will include the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Despite the frequent difficulties in prescribing medication, many patients wish to undergo all treatment procedures at home. The patient does not want to waste the extra time it takes to get to the hospital or clinic.

In addition, sick leave is rarely granted for this illness, forcing people to quickly give up activities they have started. Having felt some improvement, the recent patient resumed his usual activities. But incomplete treatment of breast osteochondrosis leads to a rapid return of the previous symptoms. Therefore, too "busy" patients can perform some procedures at home - the main thing is that they do not give up on what they started.

At home

You can do without the hospital only in the early stages of the disease, when all changes in the spine are reversible. With the help of certain measures, it is possible to eliminate muscle spasms, the cause of the manifestations:

It is necessary to change the place of rest - the bed, on which the soft tissues of the spine are restored during sleep. To do this, you need to make it more rigid, buy an orthopedic mattress to exclude the wrong position of the back.
For any activity, you should use a spine support - a soft corset that captures the lumbar and thoracic regions. It should be worn regularly at work, only peeling off when resting or sleeping.
It is recommended to use warming ointments to eliminate the symptoms. They are applied between the shoulder blades before the coming load in order to artificially warm up the muscles.
You need to make a good habit - exercise at home after waking up. In addition, it is not necessary to perform it only in the morning - for any discomfort in the back, you need to find a few minutes to warm up.
You need to change your diet, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet - the vitamins in them slow down the destruction of connective tissue.

Patients who have sufficient free time are advised to engage in physical activity - walking or swimming.

Conservative

With the development of pronounced signs, treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine begins with the help of drugs. They allow you to eliminate pain and other manifestations that interfere with normal activity:

First of all, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which have an analgesic effect. They inhibit the processes of soft tissue destruction, which inevitably lead to the formation of bone growths.
Muscle relaxants are also used - drugs that eliminate painful muscle contractions. Their use allows the chest to regain its former flexibility and mobility.
In addition, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which are aimed at protecting nerve tissue. They allow you to quickly restore the roots of the spinal cord, which have been subjected to pressure.
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can also be used as creams to be applied between the shoulder blades. But they are usually only associated with drugs to ensure synergy.

Treatment usually lasts 2-3 weeks, after which the patient is transferred to home treatment.

Surgical

The operative method of treatment is usually used when drugs are ineffective. In addition, the intervention is not always radical in nature:

The most common blockage used is the introduction of drugs directly into the lesion with a needle. A local anesthetic is usually used to relieve symptoms. After the procedure, its effect lasts for several days.
Blockages performed with the help of glucocorticosteroids are more effective - they provide a therapeutic effect that lasts for several weeks. The composition contains hormones that suppress the inflammatory process in the area of administration.
In the most severe cases, an operation is performed - removal of deformed areas of the joints between the ribs and vertebrae. In this way, it is possible to remove the pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, which leads to the elimination of most manifestations.

Surgical correction does not lead to a complete cure of the disease, but only facilitates the patient's condition. Therefore, after any manipulation, further conservative therapy is necessary, aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.

Rehabilitation

The elimination of the main signs of osteochondrosis does not imply the end of the treatment. In the period following treatment, the patient undergoes restorative measures:

In the initial period, procedures are prescribed that have a reflex effect. Electrophoresis and phonophoresis, UHF and laser can eliminate reflex muscle contraction of the thoracic spine.
Then more active procedures begin - massage, therapeutic exercises. They help to strengthen the muscle structure of the chest.
Recovery ends with independent training, which should continue in continuous mode. They help slow the progression of osteochondrosis.

These patients are advised to choose sports disciplines that allow them to develop both muscular endurance and strength. Therefore, patients are advised to swim and run, which allows you to create an even load on all muscles. Daily workouts are optional - three sessions per week are sufficient.