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 subject to great stress. But the sedentary lifestyle of most people and the 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 diagnosed immediately. After all, the peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that its symptoms are nonspecific and resemble many other pathologies.
general characteristics
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 cushioning functions. The vertebrae, ligaments and joints in the spine are gradually affected. Nerve fibers and blood vessels can be damaged.
This process develops slowly, so the pathology is difficult to diagnose. Moreover, not everyone goes to the doctor right away because they do not know what the risk 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, heart work, liver and digestive tract are disturbed. Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia may occur. But more often complications appear in the spine. In addition to intervertebral disc herniation and intercostal neuralgia, spinal cord compression, spondylosis, sciatica, and postural disorders may develop.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is equally common in men and women. Its appearance does not depend on age either, 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 improper diet and sedentary lifestyle.
It is believed that the most common osteochondrosis is that of the cervix. Often, the pathology also appears in the lumbar region. This is due to the special skeletal structure. In the thoracic region, the spine is less mobile, as it is connected to the ribs and sternum.
The intervertebral discs here are thinner, and the vertebrae are located closer to each other. But this section is less susceptible to injury and other external influences, as part of the load is taken from the ribs and chest.
Osteochondrosis usually appears at the level of 7-11 vertebrae. In this case, the intervertebral discs are mainly affected. 1-2 segments of the spine are most often affected. But sometimes polysegmental osteochondrosis develops, in which several discs are destroyed at once. Rarely, pathology in this section occurs independently, usually combined with a cervical or lumbar spine lesion. 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 appears with back pain after exertion, as is the case when it is localized in the cervical or lumbar spine. Pathology in the initial stage is confused with heart or lung disease. After all, the pain is often localized in the chest, appear shortness of breath, nausea, chills. But the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are not very bright, therefore, patients do not always go to the doctor in the initial stage. Because of this, the pathology progresses.
Development of the disease
The risk of thoracic osteochondrosis is that it is "disguised" like other diseases. The pathology develops slowly, rarely any of the patients is referred to the doctor in the initial stage. Osteochondrosis begins with thinning of the intervertebral disc. Its nucleus flattens, the shell cracks and dries, and the vertebrae get closer. There is usually no major discomfort at this stage, just slight muscle tension. If the disease can be detected, then 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 can begin, the joint capsules suffer. The mobility of the spine is reduced, the vertebrae can be displaced. If the increased physical activity continues, due to the friction of the vertebrae with each other, microcracks appear on them. At this time there is a feeling of tightness in the chest, pain with every movement in the upper body.
In the third stage of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become very thin, extensions and hernias appear. Spinal mobility is almost completely limited. Osteophytes begin to form in the vertebrae. This stage is characterized by a pronounced radicular syndrome, as the nerve fibers are damaged. In this case, the work of internal organs is seriously interrupted. In most cases, it is at this time that 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 final stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by complete destruction of the discs and loss of their functions. The bony 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 development of thoracic osteochondrosis is wavy. This is usually a chronic process that proceeds slowly, with little concern. There may be increased fatigue, weakness. And when exposed to external factors, a worsening with sharp pain occurs. In this case, patients are often hospitalized, as an attack may be accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath, difficulty 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, the elongation or hernia of the disc appears, they become thinner and cease to perform their functions, the vertebrae gradually collapse, osteophytes grow. This is most often due to an unbalanced diet, leading to a lack of essential nutrients, or age-related changes in cartilage tissue composition. Disc degeneration can also lead to poor spinal circulation, bad habits or an inherited predisposition.
But mineral deficiency does not always lead to osteochondrosis. This requires provocative factors that affect the spine itself.
Therefore, the following reasons for this pathology are distinguished:
- frequent static loads on the spine;
- prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position at the table;
- weight lifting;
- obesity;
- damage to the spine or surrounding tissues;
- involvement in power sports;
- rachiocampsis;
- muscle corset weakness;
- congenital skeletal malformations;
- severe hypothermia;
- nerve overload.
It turns out that people who spend a long time in an uncomfortable position at a desk or while driving a car, as well as those who perform heavy physical work, are more susceptible to the development of pathology. Indeed, both increased loads and their complete absence are equally detrimental to intervertebral discs.
In addition, osteochondrosis often develops in young people who have osteochondropathy. This pathology usually develops in the lower chest in adolescents. It is characterized by necrosis of the spongy tissue of the vertebrae, deformity of the spine and the appearance of neurological symptoms. As the pathology progresses, 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 hospitalized with suspected acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or urolithiasis. After all, the pain is not always localized to the area of the affected vertebrae. Therefore, osteochondrosis of the chest is often confused with pathologies of other organs.
In addition, degenerative processes in the spine in this disease are almost always associated with 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 restricting the mobility of the upper body, increasing flexion. Interstitial neuralgia often occurs. Acute pain can last for hours or more. It can be caused 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. Because of this, there is an increase in nail brittleness, dryness and slipping of the skin. Coldness of the skin and cooling of the limbs are often observed.
Characteristics of pain
Pain in thoracic osteochondrosis can vary in intensity and localization. The pain usually appears in the chest or between the shoulders. They are aggravated by raising the arm, turning or bending the body, coughing or sneezing. The pain can be sharp, pressing, painful.
Usually, such sensations are divided into two groups: dorsago and dorsalgia. Dorsago is an attack of acute pain between the shoulder blades. Also called "chest lumbago". The pain is so strong that it prevents the person from moving. The dorsal attack usually occurs after a long stay in a stationary position on the first movement. It is accompanied by muscle spasms, so 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 removed by Nitroglycerin. In addition, the pain increases when you press the vertebrae.
Dorsalgia is chronic, mild pain. It usually starts gradually, with slight discomfort in the thoracic spine. In this case, the pain may intensify during bending, turning, raising the arm, even when walking. This severely restricts patient mobility. In addition, an increase in pain can be noticed with a deep breath, after a long stay in a sitting position or at night. Dorsalgia can last from 2 weeks to a month. Chest tightness and a feeling of shortness of breath may resemble pneumonia, but the patient has no cough or fever.
Radicular syndrome
When the spasmodic vertebrae or muscles of the nerve roots are compressed, the signs of osteochondrosis of the chest region become more pronounced. After all, the spinal nerves located at this site of the spine are responsible for the innervation of the skin, the motor functions of the limbs, and the functioning of the internal organs.
In addition to severe pain in the back, chest or abdomen, nerve compression is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- paresis or partial paralysis of the limbs;
- violation of skin sensitivity;
- numbness, burning, tingling sensation, feeling of "goose bumps" running;
- violation of tendon reflexes;
- reflex muscle spasms;
- trophic changes in the skin - hair loss, blemish, dryness and flame.
The intensity of these symptoms increases with physical exertion, deep inhalation, prolonged decrease, after hypothermia or stress.
Vegetative disorders
In the thoracic spine, there are many 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 lesions of the spine in the upper chest region, there is discomfort in the esophagus, a coma in the pharynx. Difficulty swallowing, changes in voice may occur. The middle thoracic vertebrae are responsible for the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and pancreas. Therefore, when they are destroyed, the symptoms often appear similar to pancreatitis, cholecystitis or gastritis. If degenerative changes have affected the lower thoracic vertebrae, there may be problems with the intestines and genitals.
Patients often go to the doctor with colic. They usually get worse in the evening or after physical work. Moreover, 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, intestinal disruption, nausea and bloating, problems with the work of the digestive tract are not ascertained. These sensations arise from damage to nerves and blood vessels in the spine.
Diagnosing
Due to the fact that the signs of chest osteochondrosis are nonspecific, the pathology can be detected only with a comprehensive examination. At the same time, it is very important to differentiate from other diseases. X-ray or tomography of the spine helps to rule out spondylopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
But other examination methods are also needed. This is a urine test, a general and biochemical blood test, fluorography, ECG, MRI or ultrasound of the internal organs. Such an examination makes it possible to rule out pathologies such as pancreatitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, heart attacks, pneumonia and urolithiasis.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive. Since the cause of pathology is degenerative processes, it is impossible to completely cure. Only in the initial stage, while the structure of the vertebrae is not disturbed yet, and the discs have been reduced only slightly in size, can this process be stopped and the functions of the spine restored.
But usually the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest is aimed at slowing down tissue destruction, relieving pain and neurological symptoms, and restoring mobility. The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the stage of the pathology, the location of the degenerative processes, the manifested symptoms. It is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, then there are more opportunities to avoid complications.
It is especially important to visit a doctor when your back hurts a lot and the shooting pain radiates to your chest or shoulder blade. Such deterioration can be eliminated by special methods. Usually these are drugs that are 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 told to rest in bed and restrict movement for several days.
Once the crisis is removed, treatment does not stop. But now its main purpose is to stop the degenerative processes and restore tissue trophism. Of the medicines for this, chordroprotectors, vitamins and means to improve metabolism are used. In addition, courses of massage and physiotherapy procedures, as well as physiotherapy exercises are necessarily prescribed. Moreover, the implementation of special exercises should be continuous. To prevent complications, it is necessary to monitor the diet in order to provide the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Lifestyle is also very important: choosing the right mattress and pillow to sleep in, a chair for work, rest and alternating physical activity.
Chest osteochondrosis is a very serious pathology that, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous complications. But difficulties in diagnosis lead to the fact that the disease often progresses. Therefore, it is so important to lead a correct lifestyle and avoid the factors that provoke disk destruction. This will help prevent the development of osteochondrosis and keep the spine healthy.