Osteochondrosis is the main cause of back pain. The thoracic spine is less often affected than the other parts, it is initially less mobile. Due to the lack of characteristic symptoms, degenerative disease is more difficult to diagnose. Unwanted treatment has serious consequences.
Degrees and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Dystrophic lesions of bone and cartilage tissue are the most common chronic human diseases. The pathological process begins with the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, and then extends to the fibrous ring. Atrophied cartilage loses its damping properties and the load on the bone increases. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced, protuberances and hernias appear, the nerve endings are pinched.
Symptoms of pathology:
- back pain (pain in the back), aggravated by body movements, palpation, deep sighs and coughing;
- discomfort in the sternum on the left side, shortness of breath, feeling of a lump in the throat;
- excessive sweating;
- feeling of numbness in part of the skin and limbs;
- painful sensations in the xiphoid process, extending to the shoulder blades and arms;
- dorsago - sharp pain in the chest when in one position for a long time.
Irritation of spinal receptors in the chest area manifests as pulses that mimic heart disease. This coronary-like pain is called anterior chest wall syndrome. The aching pain on the left side lasts for weeks, it is not relieved by heart medication. At the same time, the ECG does not show violations in the work of the organ.
Symptoms of the disease are often similar to other conditions. Patient complaints may indicate heart failure or gastrointestinal problems. Only a comprehensive examination will help to establish the correct diagnosis.
The clinical picture of the disease varies according to the compressive or non-compressive forms of osteochondrosis. When nerve endings are squeezed (squeezed), pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty in movement appear. The non-compressive form is manifested by acute or chronic pain syndrome in the damaged area of the spine, as well as reflex pain in the area of the heart, stomach, liver. The clinical signs of the pathology vary depending on the stage of the disease and the age of the person.
Unusual symptoms of breast osteochondrosis include sensations in women of pain in the mammary gland, brittle nails, and peeling of the skin. The disease is triggered by pregnancy. At this point, the female body experiences increased stress on the spine and a lack of nutrients.
In humans, the compression of the nerve roots in the lower part of the chest region leads to discomfort in the groin area, pain in the kidneys.
Degrees of osteochondrosis
Depending on the condition of the cartilage tissue, 4 degrees of the disease are distinguished:
- 1 degree - at an early stage of the disease, cracks appear in the fibrous ring. The nucleus pulposus protrudes through them. There are unpleasant sensations in the breastbone, the region of the heart. This stage is characterized by pulling pain and muscle spasms.
- 2 degree - the situation is aggravated by pathological mobility of the vertebrae. A sign of this stage is increased pain when moving and staying in one position for a long time. Subluxation of the vertebrae is possible.
- Grade 3 - the structure of the spine is severely damaged, the fibrous ring is completely ruptured. The defeat of nerve endings leads to intercostal neuralgia. The mobility of a person is limited, he takes a forced posture. The pain radiates to internal organs, abdomen, limbs.
- 4 degree - the structures surrounding the spine are involved in the pathological process. The proliferation of scar tissue leads to fibrosis of the ligaments. A severe neurological reaction requires the regular use of supportive drugs.
Early diagnosis of the disease can slow down the destruction of the intervertebral discs. In the early stages, the treatment is more effective. In case of prolonged back pain and the manifestation of other symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should consult a neurologist.
A delayed visit to the hospital leads to dangerous complications. These include herniated discs, inflammation of nerve endings, overgrowth of osteophytes, paresis. With the growth of bone formations, there is a great risk of damaging the tissues of the spinal canal. The initiated dystrophic processes are the complete destruction of the vertebra. The patient can only be helped by surgery.
Causes and risk factors
The movable cervical and lumbar spines are most often affected by the disease. The thoracic region is reinforced by ribs, which reduces the risk of pathology, but does not exclude its occurrence. The disease can occur at any age. Its ICD 10 code is M42. 14 - osteochondrosis of the spine in adults with localization in the thoracic region. For adolescent patients there is a separate code - M42. 0. Poor posture, kyphosis or scoliosis are triggers of the disease in young people.
The main causes of the disease
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs occur with insufficient nutrition. The nucleus pulposus loses its ability to evenly distribute the load, and cracks appear in the fibrous ring. Doctors believe that a common cause of pathology is a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis. Other factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work;
- Injury of the spine;
- Infectious diseases;
- increased physical activity;
- hormonal disorders;
- weak muscle corset.
The exact cause of the onset of degenerative changes cannot be established. The disease can be recognized by objective signs and symptoms. People who spend a lot of time in a sitting position, who have postural problems and injuries to the spine should be especially attentive to their manifestations.
Provoking factors
The natural tendency for cartilage dystrophy may not appear until middle age, when the body's natural aging process begins. But there are factors that can cause degeneration to accelerate. These include:
- chronic stress;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- difficult working conditions;
- Overweight.
With prolonged pinching and inflammation of the nerve roots, disturbances in the work of internal organs occur. Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wavy course, periods of sharp or dull pain are replaced by remission.
Diagnostic methods
To make a diagnosis, you will need to take the patient's history, conduct a physical examination. A preliminary conclusion is made during the initial examination. The patient's spine is examined in different positions. Confirmation of the pathology and information about the condition of the spine is provided by instrumental diagnostics. Experts use:
- X-ray. Images of the thoracic region show the degree of pathology. Direct and lateral radiography can establish a change in disc height, the appearance of osteophytes, compaction of the vertebral endplates of the vertebral body, narrowing of the diameter of the spinal canal and the formation of Schmorl nodes.
- Computed tomography is performed to detect and measure bone structures.
If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed.
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of pain, inflammation and other problems is possible only with complex treatment. The choice of technique depends on the patient's condition. In the early stages, conservative treatment is carried out; in advanced cases, surgery will be necessary.
Medicines
Drug therapy is prescribed to eliminate pain and prevent further destruction of the structures of the intervertebral disc. The basis of treatment is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments.
For the treatment of 3 degrees of osteochondrosis, hormonal drugs are used - corticosteroids. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. In acute pain syndrome, anesthetic injections are indicated. Muscle spasms and tension are relieved by muscle relaxants. To restore cartilage tissue, experts advise using chondroprotectors.
Healing of inflammation of the nerve roots is facilitated by the intake of special vitamin complexes with vitamins of group B. Useful elements are well absorbed from food - eggs, herbs, beef and cheese. The patient is advised to rest and rest. He should observe bed rest for the first few days.
Physiotherapy
The impact of the device has a pronounced therapeutic effect. Patients with osteochondrosis are prescribed:
- shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- exposure to ultrasound;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy.
Physiotherapy improves blood circulation and relaxes muscles. During electrophoresis sessions, the drugs penetrate deeper into the tissues of the body.
Folk remedies
You can be treated not only with drugs, but also with the help of folk remedies. At home, various herbs and foods can be used as remedies. Decoctions, ointments, rubs are prepared from them. The means allow to relieve inflammation, accelerate the processes of regeneration. A warm bath with sea salt and chamomile helps relieve pain. Effective recipes:
- Juniper Buttery Ointment - beat crushed juniper with butter until smooth. The composition is stored in the refrigerator.
- Ointment made from pork and hop cones - dry cones are ground into a powder and mixed with fat. The ointment is applied 2-3 times a day.
- Compress of honey - for the composition you need 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of vodka, 1 tablespoon of aloe juice. The products are mixed and applied to the affected area.
- Mustard compress - vodka, camphor alcohol and mustard powder are mixed in equal proportions. Add 3 proteins and incubate for 12 hours. The product has an irritant effect, so it is used with caution.
Before using the formulations, doctors advise checking them for an allergic reaction.
Massage
One of the parts of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is massage. The procedure reduces pain, increases blood circulation, and stimulates muscles. Applicators can replace massage and acupuncture at home. These are special mats with plastic needles.
Physiotherapy
When the period of exacerbation ends, it is recommended to switch to light physical activity. These include walking, swimming, yoga, and remedial gymnastics. Performing a series of special exercises is the easiest way to cope with illness and forever forget about back problems. During the exercise, the emphasis is on stretching and strengthening the muscles of the chest. There is a special technique that helps improve the health of the spine. Exercises are selected based on the individual characteristics of the patient.
Preventive recommendations
Doctors advise, for the prevention of the disease, to regularly perform a series of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back and chest. In addition to gymnastics, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Take breaks while doing sedentary work. Change your posture often so that the load is distributed over different muscle groups.
- Choose a comfortable orthopedic mattress for good spine rest.
- Use chairs with a high back that supports the spine.
- Balance your diet.
- Refuse to lift and carry weights.
A timely visit to a doctor allows you to determine osteochondrosis at an early stage. This gives a favorable prognosis for recovery.