Osteochondrosis is the aging process of the spine and surrounding tissues. Experts replace osteochondrosis with a more accurate term - "degenerative-dystrophic changes". With age, such changes occur in the spine of each person to a different degree.
In the early stage, osteochondrosis almost does not manifest itself. Back pain means that changes in the spine have already started and are progressing. In the article, we will talk about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, its symptoms and treatment.
Due to its stability, the thoracic region suffers less than the cervical and lumbar regions. Women are more susceptible to thoracic osteochondrosis. Those at risk are those who spend a lot of time sitting. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine occur in 30% of people after the age of 35, and in 50-90% of the elderly.
In order not to waste time and avoid the consequences of osteochondrosis, it is important to consult a competent doctor at the first symptoms.
How the spine ages: the mechanism of development of osteochondrosis
Vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a centrally located nucleus and a fibrous annulus at the periphery. As we age, the discs receive less oxygen and nutrients, and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. Discs lose their strength and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis begins, progresses with an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle and leads to complications. Cracks form on the surface of the fibrous ring, and the nucleus pulposus protrudes between them - a protrusion and a hernia develop. The injury process involves the vertebrae, ligaments, intercostal nerves, muscles and fascia. There is pain in the back, creaking when moving the body, intervertebral joints lose mobility.
Stages of spinal osteochondrosis and its complications
- The first stage
The intervertebral disc produces less collagen and reduces water concentration. It's more flattering. Cracks begin to form on its surface. Anxiety and fatigue appear behind. X-rays usually show no changes at first.
- The second stage
The surface of the disc cracks, the nucleus moves away from the center, and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity. This leads to disc protrusion: it protrudes into the spinal canal in the form of a cone and puts pressure on the paravertebral ligaments. Moderate pain occurs. The surrounding muscles are constantly tense and limit the range of motion in the thoracic region. On the X-ray, you can see how the height of the intervertebral space decreases.
- The third stage
Through the fissure of the fibrous ring, the nucleus or part of it protrudes into the lumen of the spinal canal. Vertebrae come closer to each other and osteophytes - bone protrusions appear on their bodies. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface of the vertebra for more even distribution of the load. Spinal roots are affected, which causes back pain to intensify and spread along the ribs. X-ray shows osteophytes and a sharp decrease in the intervertebral space.
- The fourth stage
At this stage, the back hurts violently and continuously. The posture changes and it is difficult for the person to perform normal movements. The psycho-emotional sphere suffers. X-ray shows a deformed spine.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The main cause of osteochondrosis is the degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the spine with age. There are many factors and diseases that affect the development of osteochondrosis:
- sedentary lifestyle
- overweight
- often hypothermia
- bad habits
- improper lifting of weights
- uneven load on one shoulder when carrying heavy objects
- hereditary predisposition
- straight legs
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- deformation of the spine, poor posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
- metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, gout, thyroid pathology
- autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
- walk in high heels
- back injuries
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women and men
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes: pain, muscle-tonic, radicular and sometimes facet.
- Pain syndrome
Protrusions, tears and osteophytes put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments, causing pain. In the initial stages of osteochondrosis, it appears only after heavy lifting or physical activity and goes away with rest. As the disease progresses, pain occurs even without exercise.
- Muscle-tonic syndrome
A continuous muscle spasm occurs in response to pain. Muscles often spasm along the spine, so the pain is not only in the chest, but also in the neck and back.
- Radicular syndrome
Bumps and tears can compress the nerve root, causing pain and burning along the ribs. The pain often occurs at night and worsens with exercise.
- Facet syndrome
It develops with arthrosis of the small joints between the spinal arches. With this syndrome, the back hurts in the thoracic region. The pain can last for years and cause limited mobility.
A characteristic symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain between the shoulder blades. It is strengthened when one turns, bends, straightens or rounds the back. Pain can be acute or chronic:
- Acute pain occurs suddenly, after a sudden movement or turn. The attack is short-lived: it usually disappears after changing the body position, but sometimes it lasts for several days.
- Chronic pain lasts for 12 weeks. A person cannot stand for a long time, it hurts to stand up after sitting for a long time.
Other manifestations of osteochondrosis include:
- pain, burning, tightness in the chest
- pain behind the sternum, in the center of the chest, imitating heart pathology, can spread to the collarbones, neck, ribs, arms.
- constant crunching in the back when moving
- shortness of breath due to pain during deep inhalation and exhalation
- difficulty in moving the spine
- back muscle weakness
- depression, depression due to chronic pain
- a feeling of a lump in the chest
Differential diagnosis is carried out by the pathology of the lungs, cardiovascular system, mammary glands, exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
In the first episodes of back pain, it is better to contact a neurologist. The doctor will make the correct diagnosis, exclude similar diseases and find out why osteochondrosis develops.
At the initial appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis: he asks the patient to talk about his complaints, medications, hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries, operations, working conditions. In women, the neurologist studies the periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient's appearance: posture, weight-height ratio, body proportions. Checks the neurological status: muscle strength, sensitivity in the limbs, tendon reflexes, range of motion in the spine. The doctor also evaluates pain using special scales.
Instrumental diagnostic methods help to diagnose:
- Radiography. This is a simple examination that reveals the curvature of the spine, fractures and dislocations of the vertebrae, narrowing of the intervertebral space.
- CT scan. This is a more informative method that shows the pathology of vertebrae and discs that are not visible on X-rays. It allows you to assess the degree of damage to the spine and monitor how the treatment is progressing.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. It helps to diagnose protrusions, herniated intervertebral discs and pathology of the spinal nerve roots.
To rule out diseases of the heart and internal organs, the doctor can send the patient to an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, a gastroscopy or an ECG.
Treatment: what to do with osteochondrosis of the breast
You should not self-medicate, prescribe drugs or procedures for yourself - this can cause side effects and dangerous complications. The doctor must treat the patient and control the dynamics of his condition.
How long the therapy will last depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. For the conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors use the following methods:
Drug therapy
Patients are prescribed the main drug groups:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve pain, reduce inflammation and tissue swelling.
- Muscle relaxants - relax muscles and reduce pain.
- Glucocorticoids - slow down the destruction of intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. They are prescribed when NSAIDs and muscle relaxants do not help.
Physical therapy
The instructor selects exercises to strengthen the muscles of the thoracic region, improve correct posture and spinal mobility.
Different typesphysiotherapy. Apply to:
- Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
- Laser therapy - helps nutrition and tissue regeneration, eliminates inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy - destroys deposits of calcium salts in the spine, accelerates the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue.
Acupuncture
It stimulates blood circulation in the tissues of the affected vertebral region, relaxes the muscles, and reduces pain and swelling.
Find out
Applying special adhesive tapes to the skin in the painful area of the back. Bands regulate muscle tone and distribute the load correctly.
Massage, manual therapy
As a complementary therapy to relax muscles and improve spinal mobility.
Doctors do their best to treat the patient conservatively. If the current treatment methods do not help, the patient is referred to a neurosurgeon.
Complications: dangers of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women
If you contact specialists in time and lead a healthy lifestyle, changes in the spine can be stopped. If the patient consults a doctor at the last stage, even adequate therapy does not always guarantee a good prognosis.
Untreated osteochondrosis can lead to protrusion or rupture of the intervertebral disc, chronic pain in the back or other parts of the body, low mobility of the spine and its deformation.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, neck and other parts, it is important to follow these rules:
- sleeping on an orthopedic mattress and pillow
- When lifting weights, do not bend, but squat so that the load falls on the hips.
- carry a bag or backpack alternately on the left and right shoulder so as not to burden only one side
- avoid injury
- give up smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- drink enough water
- do warm-up exercises, exercise, swim, walk while sitting for a long time
- monitor body weight
- timely treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
- wear comfortable shoes
If you have back pain in the chest or other parts of the spine, do not delay the examination. Make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor will make a complete diagnosis and draw up a treatment plan. You will get rid of pain and keep your spine healthy.