A sedentary lifestyle, injuries or excessive physical activity cause diseases of the musculoskeletal system. To avoid complications, it is important to start treatment early in the process. To do this, you need to know the causes and symptoms of the pathology.
Description of the disease, what is its danger
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease in which dystrophic changes begin in the cartilage located in the intervertebral space. The pathology is expressed by a decrease in the height of the discs and compression of the intercostal nerve endings.
Thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages of progression.
The first is characterized by drying of the intervertebral disc, decreased firmness and elasticity and the appearance of cracks. The pain is mild and disappears after the person has rested for a while.
In the second stage, the disc decreases in height, the niche in the vertebra is filled by the nucleus pulposus, but does not go beyond its boundaries. Muscles experience constant tension. The person complains of severe pain, which disappears after rest.
The third stage is characterized by the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus beyond the edges, the fissure reaches the vertebral edge. As a result, an intervertebral hernia is formed. The pain becomes constant.
In the fourth phase, a proliferation of connective tissue is detected, which exerts pressure on nearby vertebrae. To compensate for the reduced layer, bone tissue begins to grow. More and more growths (osteophytes) appear.
Types of thoracic osteochondrosis and complications
Based on the nature of the pain, two types of thoracic osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- dorsago, which is characterized by sharp, sharp pain in the form of lumbago, localized in the thoracic spine. The condition is accompanied by muscle tension, movement problems in the neck and thoracic region;
- dorsalgia, in which the pain increases slowly. Inhaling and rotating the body, as well as prolonged stay in the same position, increase discomfort. At night, the discomfort worsens and disappears while walking.
In the absence of adequate therapy, the nerve endings are increasingly compressed. As a result, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause complications:
- diseases of the digestive system;
- persistent pain;
- interruptions in cardiac activity;
- decreased ability to conceive;
- disturbance in the functioning of the lungs caused by the proliferation of connective tissue.
Why does thoracic spine pathology occur?
This part of the spine experiences moderate loading and limited mobility. However, the pathology is common. The disease can be caused by one of the reasons or their combination:
- injuries and damage;
- excessive load on the department, even in childhood;
- age-related changes associated with decreased nutrition of the disc tissue between the vertebrae;
- endocrinological diseases, especially during menopause;
- age-related impairment of calcium absorption;
- excess body weight;
- problems with blood vessels, atherosclerotic deposits in the vessels of the thoracic region;
- weak muscle corset.
How does the pathology manifest itself?
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis include pain and increased muscle tone. The pain can be short-lived with shooting or long-term pain. Recoil can be felt in the front of the chest, under the ribs and in the shoulder. The pain increases when you remain in the same position for a long time.
A characteristic sign of the pathology is sensitivity to palpation of the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are similar to those of other diseases and include:
- discomfort in the heart area, reminiscent of the pain of angina;
- pain when breathing, shortness of breath, also manifested in pneumonia, tuberculosis, obstructive pulmonary disease;
- pain in the epigastric region, under the ribs, similar to signs of gastrointestinal diseases.
Methods of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis
If you have complaints, you should contact a neurologist. Therapy includes medications, physical therapy, physical therapy, and massage.
Doctors prescribe drugs:
- means eliminating the source of inflammation in the spine;
- drugs to reduce muscle tone and the risk of compression of the sensory roots of the spinal cord;
- neuroprotectants designed to help restore nerve fibers.
The choice and dosage are decided by the doctor, who will take into account the tolerance to the drug, concomitant pathologies and the patient's weight.
It is important to follow the recommended treatment duration to avoid relapses. You can buy prescribed drugs cheaply in the online store.
The massage must be performed carefully, using rubbing techniques. The areas under the shoulder blades and between the ribs should be treated carefully. At least 10-15 sessions are necessary for the effect to manifest itself.
During physical therapy, the emphasis is on exercises that strengthen the muscle corset, neck and lower back.
Ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory effects, warming plasters and the Kuznetsov applicator are prescribed locally.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a degenerative pathology of the vertebrae and discs. Vlasenko Alexander Adolfovich (neurologist, manual therapy doctor with 30 years of experience) talks about osteochondrosis of the thoracic region: symptoms, diagnosis and effective treatment methods.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis called "chameleon"?
The thoracic spine has a special feature: the ribs are attached to it. Thanks to this it is less mobile than the neck and lower back. As a result, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region develops less frequently, according to the principle: "less mobility – less wear". But it develops less often, this does not mean that it proceeds more easily. And indeed it is. We're talking about chest pain. Since the painful area of the thoracic spine coincides with the area of the heart, the symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. It is not for nothing that they say about thoracic osteochondrosis that it is a "chameleon". After all, he can pretend not only to have a heart disease, but also a disease of the lungs, liver, stomach, gallbladder or pancreas. And here you can not make a mistake and neglect a heart attack or other serious diseases, for example, pathology of the mammary glands in women. Such mistakes are costly, even if everything works out in the end. After all, this can "push" a person into serious stress. That is why it is very important to find an experienced and competent doctor who understands everything and distinguishes the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis from other pathologies. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are generally divided into two categories: radicular and reflex.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the spinal motion segment. In the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of spinal movements, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headaches and fatigue. By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the result will not be long in coming and healing will come quickly.
Severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the level of damage) occurs with severe damage to the intervertebral disc. These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.
In severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, with possible pelvic organ dysfunction, severe weakness, and numbness in the arm or leg. If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization is required to resolve the issue with surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, can radiate to the shoulder, arm or head, numbness or weakness in the arm, headache, dizziness.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, pain occurs in the chest, radiates to the sternum or shoulder blade, intensifies with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air. Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, and numbness or weakness of the leg may occur.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a single whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary. As a rule, the disease develops throughout the entire spine, but manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Radicular symptoms
They occur due to impact on the nerves leaving the spine.
Spinal nerves
There are many nerves coming out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each of these nerves gradually branches and follows a specific area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the segmental innervation zone. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and area are numbered, strictly corresponding to each other. If a nerve is exposed, symptoms will appear in the area of segmental innervation corresponding to that nerve, and not everywhere, in an arbitrary place.
Radicular symptoms include:
- Decreased or lost reflexes;
- Impaired sensitivity;
- Muscle weakness;
- Radicular pain.
Innervation zones of the thoracic segments
Osteochondrosis D1-D2- Causes pain in the shoulders, collarbone and armpits.
Osteochondrosis D3-D6- causes pain of an enveloping nature in the upper part of the chest. Simulates heart pain, an angina attack. In women it causes pain in the mammary glands.
Osteochondrosis D7-D8- causes belt pain at the solar plexus level. Simulates pain in the stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Reduces upper abdominal reflexes.
Osteochondrosis D9-D10- causes pain in the hypochondrium and upper abdomen. Sometimes it imitates the so-called "acute" abdomen - sharp pain in the abdomen. Reduces mid-abdominal reflexes.
Osteochondrosis D11-D12- causes pain in the groin area. Simulates pain in female diseases, appendicitis and intestinal diseases. Reduces lower abdominal reflexes.
Reflex symptoms
Unlike radicular symptoms, reflex symptoms have no clear boundaries. These may be: difficulty breathing, lack of air, pain when inhaling and exhaling, chills and "goosebumps" on the skin, intercostal neuralgia, girdling chest pain. Dyspepsia is often observed: worsening of appetite, nausea, heartburn, bloating and intestinal dysfunction occurs. Due to pain, sleep is disturbed, insomnia occurs and there is a feeling of not getting enough sleep. It's difficult to move, especially in the morning. Coordination of movements is impaired, this is reflected in the gait. General weakness, weakness. Sexual disorders. Irritability. Rapid fatigue. Various pains arise. Pressing pain in the chest area. Pain between the shoulder blades. Hypochondrium pain. Pain when raising arms. Pain when bending or trying to stand up. Pain between the shoulder blades. In general, pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is usually divided into two types.
Dorsalgia- Moderately severe and prolonged pain in the back and chest with periods of intensification and easing.
Dorsago- acute and painful "low back pain" in this area.
- Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region depend on the stage of osteochondrosis.
- They get worse when you bend over or try to stand up.
- Symptoms often appear after 35-45 years.
- They occur about 3 times more often in women than in men.
Of course you have noticed that the radicular symptoms are quite clearly defined, while the reflex symptoms are very vague and non-specific. And as you know, everything that does not have clear definitions serves as a convenient cover for professional impotence. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and to a concept so beloved by doctors as "age-related changes". Surely many of you are familiar with the situation when the doctor explained the problem as "reflex" or "age-related" processes. Most people at such moments rightly believe that the doctor simply cannot understand what is happening and is trying to mask his incompetence in the fog of these "magic words".
There was once a popular phrase: "Every incident has a name, a surname and a position. "So each disease has its own unique symptoms. And it is the doctor's duty to know them clearly. And then it will not be necessary to throw the fog and blame osteochondrosis of the thoracic region for everything. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and competent doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and the good results of treatment will depend on this.
Stages of the disease
Depending on the ongoing pathological processes, there are 4 stages of development of thoracic osteochondrosis:
| Stage | Changes | Symptoms |
| First | Dehydration of the discs, which causes loss of elasticity. Their height decreases, but their width increases: the intervertebral disc gradually flattens. | The pain appears directly in the damaged ring. He can shoot or shoot. |
| Second | The fibrous ring begins to disintegrate. The nerve roots are compressed, causing pain. | There is pain when moving. When holding a pose for a long time, discomfort appears. |
| Third | The fibrous ring breaks, causing the formation of a herniated disc. Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis develops. | There is pain when moving. When holding a pose for a long time, discomfort appears. |
| Fourth | Friction of the vertebrae against each other appears, which causes displacement of the intervertebral joints. The tissue surrounding the vertebrae becomes inflamed. Cartilage tissue is replaced by bone tissue, which reduces motor functions. Fibrosis appears. | There is pain when moving. When holding a pose for a long time, discomfort appears. |
Phases of exacerbation and remission can be observed. The latter is often observed in stage 4.
Degrees of the disease
This is a more modern classification of the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, used by specialists.
| Degrees | Changes and symptoms |
| First | Intervertebral disc rupture caused by sudden movements or excessive strain. Sharp pain, similar to the passage of an electric current along the spine. Muscle effort. |
| Second | Characterized by instability of the spine. Pain when moving. Overhang. |
| Third | The pain becomes constant. Loss of sensitivity. Change in gait. Severe headaches. Difficult breathing. Tachycardia. |
| Fourth | The spine is unstable: the vertebrae slip and twist. Osteophytes grow, pinching spinal nerves and putting pressure on the spinal cord. |
Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause serious diseases that will be difficult to cure.
Diagnostics are the key to adequate treatment
Today, there are a number of modern methods for hardware diagnostics of osteochondrosis. The most accurate are MRI and CT. But the main method still remains clinical diagnosis - that is, when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - from the patient's complaints, MRI results and symptoms identified during the examination. This allows you to make a diagnosis as accurately as possible and create an effective individual treatment program.
Who to contact, methods of examination of osteochondrosis
As a rule, with pain in the spine, patients turn to a neurologist who, based on complaints and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (radiography of the spine, MRI, CT, general urinalysis, general blood analysis) and develop a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired functionality of the spinal roots;
- prevention of the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine.
During the acute period, with severe paindrug treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors are carried out or a blockade is carried out.
Physiotherapyis the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Physical therapy is aimed at training, correction and strengthening of the muscle corset; increased range of motion of the spine and joints; development of a motor stereotype and correct posture; reducing the load on the spine.
With regular physical therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition improves, metabolism is normalized and the intervertebral space increases, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle involves prolonged sitting at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for flare-ups.
As you understand, osteochondrosis is a real "tangle" of symptoms, which, by unraveling, the doctor will relieve you of pain and torment. But it is not possible to eliminate changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in eliminating pain and other suffering, then yes, it is quite possible. And if you conduct an academic discussion on the topic of the return of vertebrae and discs to their original appearance, "like a newborn baby", then no, the past cannot be returned. You have to be realistic and then you won't fall for scammers.
Which treatment method is considered the main one?
Gentle manual therapy is the main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia: you can't do without it. The remaining types - massage, medication, physiotherapy and physical therapy - are auxiliary.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy methods relieve swelling and inflammation, improve blood flow to the affected area, reduce or stop pain.
Magnetic laser, magnetotherapy, SMT with novocaine, ultrasound with hydrocortisone, etc.
Balneotherapy: Mud applications, ozocerite applications on the affected areas, radon baths.
Physical therapy and massage
Therapeutic exercise is the main method of treatment of osteochondrosis. Gymnastics is performed regularly for 10-15 minutes several times a day. To improve effectiveness, a course of massage is prescribed. The procedures help to relax muscles, reduce pressure on the vertebrae, improve metabolic processes and blood flow. Physical therapy can be done independently at home, including in the clinic (individual and group lessons). The massage is performed by a qualified specialist in a clinical setting.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
Disc nutrition is directly related to the muscles surrounding the spine. In addition, the back muscles themselves are one of the constituent causes of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Gentle manual therapy is a special method that allows you to return muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms, muscle tension and improve nutrition of the discs.
The intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the correct functioning of the muscles.
Additionally, when performing treatment using his hands, the chiropractor:
- it will relieve the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it correctly;
- relaxes muscles and helps them return to normal;
- relieves the patient from clamps;
- improve disk power;
- will restore the motor functions of the body;
- normalizes blood circulation.
Manual influence mobilizes the body's internal forces and triggers self-healing mechanisms.
Acupuncture
The technique consists of influencing biologically active points of the body with thin needles. The procedure reduces the manifestation of pain and inflammatory processes. Acupuncture is not painful and mild discomfort may occur.
Treatment of pathology in women
It is practically impossible to completely eliminate already progressing thoracic osteochondrosis, but it is quite possible to slow down or even stop the formation of a degenerative-dystrophic pathological process in the tissues of the motor segments of the spine using the means and methods of modern medicine. The optimal therapeutic effect can be achieved only with an integrated approach to the treatment of this pathology using drugs, various physiotherapeutic techniques and targeted physical therapy techniques (exercise therapy).
Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women are not much different from those in men. In the acute period of osteochondrosis of the thoracic segment of the spine, the patient needs intensive exacerbation treatment, during which various drugs and physical procedures are used to help eliminate, first of all, pain syndrome, and in parallel, other negative manifestations of the disease.
During remission, the patient should be prescribed maintenance treatment, based mainly on taking drugs that restore the osteochondral structure and physical therapy. In particularly severe cases, they sometimes resort to surgery to stabilize the position of the spine.
What to do in case of a flare-up?
During an exacerbation, severe pain appears that radiates along the intercostal spaces. At this stage it is necessary to maintain bed rest and reduce the mobility of the spine. The symptoms are eliminated with analgesics prescribed by the treating doctor.
The treatment is absolutely safe.
Prevention
To prevent diseases and slow down degenerative processes we recommend:
- weight regulation;
- cycling, running, swimming, yoga and other sports;
- daily walks;
- taking vitamin complexes and chondroprotectors;
- reduce stress on the back;
- Timely treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleeping and working. Watch your weight and eat well. Continue your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and not skimp on it. Don't let things take their course. After recovery, try to do at least one maintenance session of gentle manual therapy once every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Do not forget that advanced osteochondrosis leads to complications: protrusion and herniated disc. Remember: your health comes first!