Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine (OS) is not only the destruction of the fibrous rings and bone elements, but also the weakness of the muscle structure. This form of pathology is rare and has specific symptoms that may resemble an attack of angina or gastritis.
Therefore, it is very 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 significantly lower, and a large part of the load is taken by the sternum and ribs.
A lump in the throat with osteochondrosis GOP appears due to spasm of the muscles of the pharynx and neck.
The physiological curvature of the GOP, directed convexly backwards, also plays an important role. In this case, the main stress falls on the front area of the disc, leaving the far side in peace. This means that protrusions and hernias that develop appear outside the ridge, without affecting the spinal cord.
Types of diseases
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the observed syndrome. There are two types: nerves and pain.
The first case is characterized by numbness in the upper part, crawling, twitching and reflex tension of the muscles in the back. In severe cases, difficulty breathing occurs, a lump in the throat, heartburn, and pressure in the epigastrium appear.
The pain syndrome can be sharp and intense (dorsago) or lasting and mild (dorsalgia), and also manifests itself as intercostal neuralgia.
To describe the destructive effects of osteochondrosis, there are codes according to ICD-10. For children it corresponds to the value of M42. 0; for adults code M42. 1 is used. If the diagnosis is not confirmed by MRI and X-ray results, the patient is given the code M54 - dorsalgia.
Dorsago
This term refers to a sharp and sudden pain in the sternum. They can be so strong that breathing and movement are difficult. They are otherwise called chest lumbago.
A dangerous symptom is the occurrence of pain on 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 needs immediate medical attention, so it is useful to know some of the characteristics of chest pain.
Therefore, with dorsago, the patient's well-being does not improve after taking "heart" drugs, and the ECG does not show any changes in the rhythm. In addition, discomfort increases sharply when coughing, bending the upper body to the side and forward.
Manifestations such as the chest form of this disease must be distinguished from other pathologies with similar symptoms. Neurologists do this by conducting ECG, radiography, CT and MRI of the spine. In very 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 go 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 by itself after a short movement.
The pain increases with deep and frequent breathing, bending and twisting. 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 by itself. It is preceded by unfavorable conditions, which can exist either separately or simultaneously, reinforcing each other.
Provocative factors:
- restricted diet, lack of micronutrients;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports;
- back injury;
- congenital anomalies of bone structure;
- obesity;
- infectious and inflammatory pathologies that can interfere with the nutrition of the vertebra (ankylosing spondylitis, tuberculosis of the spine);
- Flat feet.
When osteochondrosis osteochondrosis is diagnosed in the elderly, 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 this disease most often develops in office workers, students and schoolchildren who spend a lot of time in a sitting position with a bent back. This type of thoracic 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. Symptoms of pathology significantly increase during menopause - due to a decrease in estrogen production. If hormone replacement therapy is started during this period, the damage to the spine can be stopped for years.
The main method of treatment
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that leads to the deformation of the intervertebral discs and the biomechanics of the skeleton as a whole. It is impossible to cure it, because at the same time with the destruction many neurological and vertebral disorders develop. Therefore, therapy for osteochondrosis is symptomatic.
The treatment regimen for spinal dystrophy includes several types of medication.
What drugs 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, because the fibrous disc is hidden behind the thickness of the muscle and it is unlikely that the composition of the drug 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 blocks. To reduce pain and inflammation, ultraphonophoresis with analgesics, magnetic therapy, and UHF are prescribed. Muscle spasms are relieved with muscle relaxants.
Treatment is not medicine
The most effective method of combating thoracic osteochondrosis is massage. It helps relax tense muscles, relieves discomfort in the back, and partially restores the biomechanics of the spine. 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 the damaged disc. With this procedure, it is possible to relieve the pinched nerve roots and significantly improve the patient's condition. It is noted that patients feel relief after the first session.
At home, it is recommended to stretch the spine using specially selected exercises. Of course, traction works faster in the case of osteochondrosis, but exercise therapy has several advantages: it relaxes and strengthens the back muscles, reduces the load on the disc, improves the general well-being of the patient and improves mood.
There are many interesting and effective complexes designed for the thoracic spine. Excellent training that does not require sports training and is accessible to anyone. It is recommended to start training with the simplest movements, gradually increasing the complexity of the exercises.
Recently, basic complexes containing universal movements that restore the functions of all body systems have gained great popularity. Gymnastics is well complemented by swimming in the pool and hydromassage.
Actions to aggravate osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs as a chronic pathology and the frequency of recurrence directly depends on the degree of damage to the disc and the patient's lifestyle.
During an exacerbation, where there is pinching of nerve fibers, the patient needs complete rest and treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. 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 treatments include various ointments and rubs prepared based on camphor alcohol, essential oils of fir, juniper and thuja.
Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs will help overcome relapses. Compresses made from fresh burdock and cabbage leaves, lotions with a decoction of linden flowers, birch buds or celery root provide good anti-inflammatory results.
For acute back pain, traditional healers recommend placing a mustard plaster on the affected vertebral area. It is difficult to say how effective and safe this method is, but for many people it really helps to get rid of painful symptoms.
There are many good reviews of this method of dealing with exacerbations, such as acupuncture. The procedure, performed by highly qualified specialists, perfectly relieves pain, soothes and relaxes, and stimulates the body's defenses. Helps both in the early stages of the disease and in severe forms.
As a result of osteochondrosis GOP
If degenerative changes in the spine are not treated immediately, they quickly develop and lead to serious disorders in the body. The most common complications of osteochondrosis are:
- disturbances in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- lung and bronchial diseases;
- pathology of the cardiovascular system;
- Impaired blood circulation in the legs.
The development of protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc causes compression of nerve fibers, arteries and spinal cord.
As a result of impaired blood circulation, the patient may experience limb paralysis and brain function may decline. Often the appearance of neurological disorders: Brown-Séquard and Personage-Turner syndrome, Adamkiewicz reaction, anterior spinal artery infarction.
Complications of GOP osteochondrosis include VSD (vegetative-vascular disorder complex).
Why is this type of osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main danger of thoracic spinal dystrophy is making the wrong diagnosis and prescribing inappropriate treatment. When the patient takes pills for the heart or stomach, the destruction of the disc develops more and more, leading to protrusion and hernia.
The danger of this disease is also great in terms of the possible development of heart pathology - advanced heart osteochondrosis is often the cause of arrhythmia, cardiovascular failure, and myocardial infarction.
During an acute attack of dorsago, breathing problems may occur. Long-term airflow obstruction leads to bronchitis, asthma and other destructive lung diseases. The resulting hernia causes deterioration in the function of the stomach, pancreas, kidneys and liver.
Women suffering from thoracic osteochondrosis are faced with disorders of the reproductive system - they cannot conceive children for many years, without suspecting that the cause of infertility lies in spinal dystrophy. Men also suffer from chest diseases - potency declines, muscle tone decreases, strength in the arms is lost, and a possible delay from military service is possible.
Preventive measures
It is not difficult to avoid problems with the spine. The main thing is to get used to daily physical activity. A little exercise early in the morning and some active breaks during the workday will bring great benefits.
It is good to go swimming, if you are overweight, make sure you lose weight, but without excessive enthusiasm. Nutrition should be balanced and enough calories. In addition, you can take chondroprotectors.
To avoid spinal diseases, it is recommended to find a qualified massage therapist, do yoga or stretch.
Conclusion
Even with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, you can live completely, forgetting about this disease for many years. The main thing is to remember about regular physical activity. As soon as we reduce activity, the body begins to age quickly and get various types of diseases, including spinal dystrophy. Knowing this, it is not difficult to prevent pathology or delay the destruction that has begun.