Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. It is believed to develop mainly in the neck or lower back. After all, it is in these places that the spine is very mobile and undergoes great strain. But the sedentary lifestyle of most people and prolonged sitting at the table led to the fact that osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine began to occur more and more often. Although in many cases this pathology is not immediately diagnosed. After all, the peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that its symptoms are nonspecific and resemble many other pathologies.
Main Features
This degenerative-dystrophic disease affects the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. This is due to a violation of metabolic processes, leading to thinning and drying of cartilage tissue. As a result, under the influence of physical exertion, the discs begin to collapse and lose their damping functions. The vertebrae, ligaments and joints of the spine are gradually affected. Nerve fibers and blood vessels can be damaged.
This process develops slowly, so the pathology is difficult to diagnose. In addition, not everyone immediately goes to the doctor, because they do not know what the danger of thoracic osteochondrosis is. But without treatment, the disease can lead to serious complications. Since this part of the spine is responsible for blood supply and innervation of internal organs, with an advanced form of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, various pathologies can develop. Intestinal peristalsis, the work of the heart, liver and digestive tract are disturbed. Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia may appear. But most often complications appear in the spine. In addition to intervertebral disc herniations and intercostal neuralgia, spinal cord compression, spondylosis, sciatica, and postural disturbances may develop.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is also common in men and women. Its appearance does not even depend on age, although it was previously believed that degenerative-dystrophic diseases are characteristic only of the elderly. But modern youth are increasingly suffering from osteochondrosis due to poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.
The most common osteochondrosis is thought to be cervical. Often the pathology also occurs in the lumbar region. This is due to the special structure of the skeleton. In the thoracic region, the spine is less mobile, as it is connected with the ribs and the breastbone.
The intervertebral discs are here thinner and the vertebrae are located closer to each other. But this section is less susceptible to injury and other external influences, since part of the load is taken by the ribs and chest.
Osteochondrosis usually occurs in 7 to 11 vertebrae. In this case, the intervertebral discs are mainly affected. Most often, 1 to 2 segments of the spine are affected. But sometimes polysegmental osteochondrosis develops, in which several discs are destroyed at the same time. Rarely, the pathology in this section occurs independently, usually associated with damage to the cervical or lumbar spine. In this case, the symptoms are more pronounced, so it becomes easier to diagnose the disease.
The peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that it rarely manifests as back pain after exercise, as is the case when it is localized to the cervical or lumbar spine. Pathology at the initial stage is confused with heart or lung disease. After all, pain is often localized in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, chills appear. But the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are not very bright, therefore, patients do not always go to the doctor at the initial stage. As a result, the pathology progresses.
Disease development
The danger of thoracic osteochondrosis is that it is "disguised" as other diseases. The pathology develops slowly, rarely any of the patients see a doctor at the initial stage. Osteochondrosis begins with the thinning of the intervertebral disc. Its core flattens, the shell cracks and dries up, and the vertebrae come together. There is usually no major discomfort at this stage, only slight muscle tension. If the disease can be detected, it can be completely cured by restoring the condition of the discs.
But usually the progression of osteochondrosis continues. In the surrounding soft tissues, an inflammatory process may begin, the joint capsules suffer. The mobility of the spine is reduced, the vertebrae can be displaced. If the increase in physical activity continues, due to the friction of the vertebrae against each other, microcracks appear on them. At this point there is a feeling of pinching in the chest, pain with any movement in the upper body.
In the third stage of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become very thin, protuberances and hernias appear. The mobility of the spine is almost completely limited. Osteophytes begin to form on the vertebrae. This stage is characterized by a pronounced radicular syndrome, as the nerve fibers are impaired. In this case, the work of internal organs is seriously disturbed. In most cases, this is when the patient goes to the doctor and begins treatment. If this is not done, complications can lead to disability and, when the spinal cord is compressed, to complete immobility.
The last stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by the complete destruction of the discs and the loss of their functions. The bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to collapse, so the mobility of the spine is completely impaired. All vegetative and radicular symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are clearly pronounced.
The course of thoracic osteochondrosis is undulating. It is usually a chronic process that takes place slowly, with little discomfort. There may be increased fatigue, weakness. And when exposed to external factors, an exacerbation occurs with sharp pains. In this case, patients are often hospitalized, as an attack may be accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, difficulty in breathing, chest or abdominal pain.
Causes
The main cause of thoracic osteochondrosis, as in its other forms, is a violation of mineral metabolism. As a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes, a protrusion or herniated disc appears, they become thinner and cease to perform their functions, the vertebrae gradually collapse, osteophytes develop. This is most often due to an unbalanced diet, leading to a lack of essential nutrients, or age-related changes in the composition of cartilage tissue. The degeneration of the discs can also lead to poor circulation in the spine, bad habits or a hereditary predisposition.
But the lack of minerals does not always lead to osteochondrosis. It requires provoking factors affecting the spine itself.
Therefore, the following reasons for this pathology are also distinguished:
- frequent static loads on the spine;
- prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position at the table;
- lifting weights;
- obesity;
- injury to the spine or surrounding tissues;
- practice power sports;
- rachiocampsis;
- weakness of the muscle corset;
- birth defects of the skeleton;
- severe hypothermia;
- nervous overwork.
It turns out that people who are in an awkward position at a table or driving a car for a long time, as well as those who perform difficult physical labor, are most likely to develop pathology. Indeed, both the increase in loads and their total absence are also harmful for the intervertebral discs.
In addition, osteochondrosis often develops in young people who have osteochondropathy. This pathology usually develops in the lower thoracic region in adolescents. It is characterized by necrosis of the spongy tissue of the vertebrae, deformation of the spine and the appearance of neurological symptoms. With the progression of the pathology, it is complicated by osteochondrosis.
Manifestations of pathology
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are pain, radicular syndrome, and dysfunction of internal organs. The pain in this pathology can be sharp, paroxysmal or painful, constant, increasing with movement. Sometimes patients are admitted to the hospital with a suspicion of acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis or urolithiasis. After all, the pain is not always localized in the area of the affected vertebrae. Therefore, thoracic osteochondrosis is often confused with pathologies of other organs.
In addition, degenerative processes of the spine in this disease are almost always accompanied by vascular disorders or intercostal neuralgia. This is due to the special structure of the spine in this section - a small distance between the vertebrae and a large number of nerves and blood vessels.
Thoracic osteochondrosis can be suspected by limiting the mobility of the upper body, increasing the curvature. Intercostal neuralgia often occurs. The sharp pain can last for several hours or more. It can be triggered by lifting weights, maintaining a static posture for a long time, hypothermia.
If the vessels are affected, there is a violation of the blood supply and nutrition of the skin. Due to this, there is increased fragility of the nails, dryness and peeling of the skin. We often observe a coldness of the skin and a chilliness of the limbs.
Pain characteristics
Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be different in intensity and localization. Pain usually occurs in the chest or between the shoulder blades. They are aggravated by raising an arm, turning or bending the body, coughing or sneezing. The pains can be sharp, pressing, painful.
Usually these sensations are divided into two groups: back pain and back pain. Dorsago is an attack of sharp pain between the shoulder blades. It is also called "thoracic lumbago". The pain is so severe that it prevents the person from moving. A dorsal attack usually occurs after a long stay in a stationary position during the first movement. It is accompanied by muscle spasms, so that respiratory function is impaired. The sensation extends to the scapula, between the ribs to the chest. Chest pain with osteochondrosis resembles an attack of angina pectoris, but unlike it, it is not eliminated by nitroglycerin. In addition, the pain increases when pressing on the vertebrae.
Back pain is chronic, mild pain. It usually starts gradually, with slight discomfort in the thoracic spine. In this case, the pain may intensify when bending, turning around, raising an arm, and even walking. This considerably limits the mobility of the patient. In addition, an increase in pain can be observed with deep breathing, after a long stay in a sitting position, or at night. Back pain can last from 2 weeks to a month. Chest tightness and shortness of breath may resemble pneumonia, but the patient does not have a cough or fever.
Radicular syndrome
When the vertebrae or the spasmodic muscles of the nerve roots are compressed, the signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region become more pronounced. After all, the spinal nerves located in this place of the spine are responsible for the innervation of the skin, the motor functions of the limbs and the functioning of internal organs.
In addition to shooting pains in the back, chest or abdomen, compression of the nerves is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- paresis or partial paralysis of the limbs;
- violation of the sensitivity of the skin;
- numbness, burning sensation, tingling, "goosebumps" feeling;
- violation of tendon reflexes;
- reflex muscle spasm;
- trophic changes in the skin - hair loss, discoloration, dryness and flaking.
The intensity of these symptoms increases with physical exertion, deep inhalation, prolonged sitting, after hypothermia or stress.
Vegetative disorders
In the thoracic spine there are a lot of nerves and blood vessels that ensure the normal functioning of internal organs. Therefore, with osteochondrosis, various autonomic disorders are necessarily observed. They depend on the location of the affected vertebrae, as well as the stage of the pathology.
With damage to the spine in the upper thoracic region, there is discomfort in the esophagus, a feeling of coma in the pharynx. Difficulty swallowing, voice changes may appear. The middle thoracic vertebrae are responsible for the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and pancreas. Therefore, when destroyed, the symptoms often resemble pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or gastritis. If degenerative changes have affected the lower thoracic vertebrae, there may be problems with the intestines and genitals.
Patients often see a doctor for abdominal pain. They usually get worse in the evening or after physical labor. In addition, the pain is not associated with the characteristics of the patient's diet. This gastrological syndrome is characteristic of thoracic osteochondrosis. But despite the abdominal pain, disturbance of the intestines, nausea and gas, the working problems of the digestive tract are not found. These sensations come from damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the spine.
Diagnostic
Due to the fact that the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are nonspecific, the pathology can be detected only with a comprehensive examination. At the same time, it is very important to differentiate it from other diseases. X-ray or tomography of the spine can rule out spondylopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
But other methods of examination are also necessary. This is a urine test, general and biochemical blood test, fluorography, ECG, MRI or ultrasound of internal organs. Such an examination allows to exclude such pathologies as pancreatitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, heart attacks, pneumonia and urolithiasis.
Processing
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive. Since the cause of the pathology is a degenerative process, it is impossible to cure it completely. It is only at the initial stage, when the structure of the vertebrae has not yet been disturbed and the size of the discs has only slightly decreased, that this process can be stopped and the functions of the spine restored. .
But generally, treatment for chest osteochondrosis is aimed at slowing down the destruction of tissue, relieving pain and neurological symptoms, and restoring mobility. The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the stage of the pathology, the localization of degenerative processes, the symptoms manifested. It is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, then there is more possibility to avoid complications.
It is especially important to see a doctor when your back hurts badly and the throbbing pain radiates to the chest or shoulder blade. Such an aggravation can be removed with special methods. Usually, these are drugs used in the form of tablets or injections, various ointments or compresses, physiotherapy procedures. It is also necessary to immobilize the spine: the patient is bed rest and restriction of movement for several days.
Once the seizure is gone, the treatment does not stop. But now its main purpose is to stop degenerative processes and restore tissue trophism. Among the drugs used for this, chordroprotectors, vitamins and means of improving metabolism are used. In addition, courses in massage and physiotherapy procedures, as well as physiotherapy exercises, are compulsorily prescribed. In addition, the implementation of special exercises must be constant. To prevent complications, it is necessary to monitor the diet so that it provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Lifestyle is also very important: choosing the right mattress and pillow for sleeping, a chair for working, alternating rest and physical activity.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is quite a serious condition, which, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous complications. But the difficulties of diagnosis lead to the fact that the disease often progresses. Therefore, it is so important to lead a correct life and avoid the factors that cause the destruction of disks. This will help prevent the development of osteochondrosis and keep the spine healthy.