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 varying degrees.
At an early stage, osteochondrosis is almost not manifested at all. 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, symptoms and treatment.
Because of its stability, the thoracic region suffers less often than the cervical and lumbar regions. Women are more prone 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 osteochondrosis development
The vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a nucleus, which is located in the center, and an annulus fibrosus at the periphery. As we age, the discs receive less oxygen and nutrients and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. Discs lose firmness and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis begins; with an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, it progresses and leads to complications. Cracks appear on the surface of the fibrous ring, and the nucleus pulposus protrudes through 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, tingling when moving the body, the intervertebral joints lose mobility.
Stages of vertebral osteochondrosis and its complications
- First stage
The intervertebral disc produces less collagen and reduces water concentration. It becomes flatter. Cracks begin to form on its surface. Discomfort and fatigue appear in the back. X-rays usually do not show changes at first.
- Second level
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 paraspinal ligaments. Moderate pain occurs. The surrounding muscles are constantly stretched and limit the range of motion in the chest area. In the x-ray you can see how the height of the intervertebral space has decreased.
- Third stage
Through the fissure of the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus or part of it exits into the lumen of the spinal canal. The vertebrae come closer to each other and osteophytes - bone outgrowths - appear in their bodies. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface area of the vertebrae so that the load is distributed more evenly. The roots of the spine are affected, causing the back pain to intensify and spread along the ribs. X-ray shows osteophytes and sharp reduction in the intervertebral space.
- Fourth stage
At this stage, the back hurts intensely and constantly. Posture changes and it is difficult for a person to perform normal actions. 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
- frequent hypothermia
- Bad Habits
- improper weight lifting
- uneven load on one shoulder when carrying heavy objects
- hereditary predisposition
- flatfeet
- pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- spinal deformity, bad posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
- metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, gout, thyroid pathology
- autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
- walking in high heels
- back injuries
Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women and men
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes: pain, myotonic, radical and sometimes face.
- Pain syndrome
Protrusions, hernias and osteophytes put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments and pain occurs. In the early stages of osteochondrosis, it occurs only after lifting weights or physical activity and subsides with rest. As the disease progresses, pain occurs even without exercise.
- Myotonic syndrome
A persistent muscle spasm occurs in response to pain. Muscles often break throughout the spine, so pain occurs not only in the chest, but also in the neck and lower back.
- Radical syndrome
Lumps and hernias 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 joints of small joints between the vertebral arches. With this syndrome, the back hurts in the chest area. The pain can last for years and cause limited mobility.
A characteristic sign of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain between the shoulder blades. It intensifies when a person turns, bends, straightens or rounds their back. Pain can be acute or chronic:
- Sharp pain occurs suddenly, after a sudden movement or turn. The attack is short-lived: it usually subsides after changing the position of the body, but sometimes it lasts for several days.
- Chronic pain lasts 12 weeks. A person cannot stand for a long time; it hurts to get 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, can radiate to the collarbones, neck, ribs, hands, simulating cardiac pathology
- constant tingling in the back when moving
- shortness of breath due to pain when inhaling and exhaling deeply
- difficulty in moving the spine
- back muscle weakness
- depression, depression due to chronic pain
- feeling of a lump in the chest
Differential diagnosis is carried out with pathology of the lungs, cardiovascular system, mammary glands, exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
At the first episodes of back pain, it is best to contact a neurologist. The doctor will determine the correct diagnosis, exclude similar diseases and find out why osteochondrosis develops.
At the initial appointment, the doctor collects a history: he asks the patient to talk about complaints, medications he takes, hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries, operations and working conditions. In women, the neurologist learns about the periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient's appearance: posture, weight-to-height ratio, body ratio. Checks neurological status: muscle strength, limb sensitivity, tendon reflexes, spinal range of motion. The doctor also assesses the pain using special scales.
Instrumental diagnostic methods help to establish the diagnosis:
- X-ray. This is a simple study that reveals curvature of the spine, fractures and dislocations of the vertebrae and narrowing of the intervertebral space.
- The CT scan. This is a more informative method, showing pathology of the vertebrae and discs that is invisible on X-rays. It allows you to assess the degree of damage to the spine and monitor the progress of treatment.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Helps diagnose protrusions, herniated intervertebral discs and spinal nerve root pathology.
To rule out diseases of the heart and internal organs, the doctor may refer the patient to an abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy or EKG.
Treatment: what to do for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
You should not self-medicate, prescribe drugs or procedures for yourself - this can lead to side effects and dangerous complications. The doctor must treat the patient and monitor the dynamics of his condition.
How long the treatment will last depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. For the conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors use the following methods:
Pharmacotherapy
Patients are prescribed the main groups of drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve pain, relieve inflammation and tissue swelling.
- Muscle relaxants - relax muscles and reduce pain.
- Glucocorticoids - slow 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 chest area, correct posture and improve the mobility of the spine.
DIFFERENT TYPESphysiotherapy. Apply:
- Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
- Laser therapy - promotes nutrition and tissue restoration, eliminates inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy - destroys calcium deposits in the vertebrae, accelerates the regeneration of bones and cartilage tissue.
Acupuncture
It stimulates blood circulation in the tissues in the area of the affected vertebrae, relaxes the muscles, reduces pain and swelling.
Taping
Application of special adhesive tapes to the skin in the area of the painful back area. The bands regulate the muscle tone and distribute the load correctly.
Massage, manual therapy
As a complementary treatment to relax muscles and improve spinal mobility.
Doctors do everything possible to treat the patient conservatively. If the available treatments do not help, the patient is referred for consultation to a neurosurgeon.
Complications: the risks of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women
If you contact specialists in time and follow a healthy lifestyle, changes in the spine can be stopped. If a patient consults a doctor in the final stages, then even adequate treatment does not always guarantee a good prognosis.
Untreated osteochondrosis can lead to a protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc, chronic pain in the back or other parts of the body, low mobility of the spine and deformity.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, neck and other parts, it is important to follow these rules:
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow
- When lifting weights, do not bend over, but squat so that the load falls on the hips
- carry a bag or backpack alternately on the left and right shoulder, so you don't load only one side
- avoid injury
- quit smoking and drinking too much alcohol
- drink enough water
- warm up while sitting for a long time, exercise, swim, walk
- monitors body weight
- timely treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
- wear comfortable shoes
If you have back pain in the thoracic or other parts of the spine, do not postpone the examination until later. 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 maintain the health of your spine.