Symptoms and treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis

It is rarely possible to diagnose thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine (GO), in contrast to cervical and lumbar, which are found in every 2-3 patients aged 18 years and older. This phenomenon is explained by the special structure of the chest - the presence of a larger number of discs, which in turn have a finer structure. This part of the spine has low mobility, and accordingly, the load on it is not high, as the main "shock" is received from the sternum along with the ribs.

The main reason why the development of breast pathology begins is an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs and, as a result, a violation of metabolic processes, as well as their structure.. . . In the presence of such a disease, the absorbent properties of the disc are lost, the fibrous ring becomes thinner, dries out, after this process, the nerve endings become inflamed, the person feels constant pain, discomfort and motor activity is reduced. . With the rapid course of the disease, it affects the ligaments of the spine and the articular joints.

Now, many experts have taken as a rule the classification of osteochondrosis not according to the stages of the course, but according to the scales, which are also distinguished by the peculiarities of the symptoms.

If we consider the general symptomatology, then osteochondrosis of the chest region is not so pronounced, unlike other types of it, however, there is a characteristic clinical picture. So the patient may complain of the presence of the following signs:

• pain in the chest region, often exacerbated by prolonged exposure in one position or at night;
• painful sensation between the shoulder blades, while increasing with raising the arm or after physical exertion;
• discomfort, pain when you try to breathe deeply, this symptom is also noticed when you exhale;
• while walking there is pain in the ribs and a feeling of tightness in the chest area.

Such manifestations can accompany a person for several weeks, which should be considered as a worsening of the disease.

What other symptoms can be noticed with HO? In addition to the main clinical picture, in some cases the following manifestations are possible:

• numbness of the upper limbs, a feeling of "goose bump" passing through the skin;
• destruction of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• feeling of coldness in the feet, inability to warm them.

Also, the characteristic signs of such a disease are dorsago - the appearance of sharp pain between the shoulder blades and dorsalgia - a slow pain syndrome that does not have a pronounced appearance.

It should be noted that, like any other type of osteochondrosis, breast disease often affects people who lead an inactive lifestyle. Constant computer stay, bending, heavy physical exertion, also become a provocative factor in the development of the disease.

How does the disease appear in women and men

The development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the chest region in patients is considered a diagnosis - thoracic osteochondrosis. With this disease is observed destruction of intervertebral discs and malnutrition in connective tissue structures. In addition, the blood circulation process is interrupted, as the chest area is inactive. And the pain syndrome itself occurs due to the tightening of the nerve endings during the progression of the pathology.

As statistics show, HO is diagnosed in women more often than in men and at the same time at a younger age. The main reason for this phenomenon is the change in hormonal levels during the onset of menopause. The impetus for the development of the disease is also osteoporosis, which is often detected in women at the onset of menopause.

Therapeutic measures are developed taking into account the clinical picture of the pathology. Severe symptoms do not appear immediately, it often takes a long time to suspect the presence of the disease. In particular, it is possible to establish a diagnosis already in the course of a pronounced picture, when the symptoms have become apparent. When it comes to a pronounced period, then two types of symptoms should be distinguished here:

1. Development of painful sensations. . . This is the appearance of pain in the chest region, between the shoulder blades, which radiates to the area of the solar plexus. Pain syndrome can migrate to the cervical area, mimicking osteochondrosis of the cervix and arm. Often women notice pain in the mammary glands, confusing them with breast pathologies. As a rule, pain sensations are not permanent, they hurt, but at the same time have no intensity.
2. Blood pressure disorder. . . With breast osteochondrosis in women, there is such a thing as hypertensive syndrome, which is characterized by increased pressure and can provoke a hypertensive crisis. A distinguishing feature of normal hypertension may be the presence of a minimal effect from the use of drugs that lower blood pressure. In cases where you have had similar situations, you should additionally consult a vertebrologist.

In addition to the above, other signs of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the thoracic spine should be distinguished:

• Pain in the left side of the chest region,not associated with heart damage. . . In medical terminology, this phenomenon is called cardialgia. It is not difficult to diagnose it, as with the development of such symptoms, one can not stop with the use of cardiac drugs.
• Violation of the functioning of the digestive system. . . Often, with the onset of osteochondrosis progression, problems begin with the internal organs, most often the gastrointestinal tract. The most prominent example is the formation of heartburn, increased acidity and the feeling of constant bloating (bloating). Among other things there may be digestive problems - nausea after eating, aggravation, bloating. Against the background of all the above, the work of the chair is also interrupted - frequent constipation or diarrhea.
• Respiratory disorders. . . Since the dystrophic process occurs in the chest area, cases of violation of the respiratory system are not uncommon. All this is accompanied by unreasonable dizziness, general weakness, shortness of breath and other signs that may indirectly resemble heart pathology or problems with pressure (arterial / intracranial).

With regard to therapy, it depends mainly on the signs of the pathological process. To relieve pain, pain relievers are prescribed, including NSAIDs in the form of ointments or gels. During the period of deterioration, muscle relaxants are more effective, they reduce smooth muscle spasm, relax muscles, relieve pain syndrome, evaluations of their use are positive. When the pain becomes completely unbearable, blockers with pain relievers are used.

Chest treatment

How exactly GO will appear depends on the pathological changes that occur in the intervertebral discs. It is customary to distinguish four stages of the course of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the chest:

• First. . . The symptoms are not particularly pronounced, however, the process of dehydration of the spinal discs has already begun. As a result, they lose their elasticity, begin to gain a more flattened appearance, but, at the same time, they can still withstand certain loads. Occasionally, painful sensations of the pain type are distressing but not mild and often do not require taking sedatives.
• Second. . . At this stage, the negative changes affect the annulus fibrosus, different types of damage are observed - cracks, loss of stability. There are changes in the pain syndrome, it becomes more intrusive, palpable, intensified by an increase in motor activity - flexion, curvature.
• The third. . . On X-rays, the rupture of the annulus fibrosus is clearly visible and a hernia begins to form. Feelings of pain become clearer, from a groaning character can flow to a sharper one, intensify with movement and even at rest.
• Fourthly. . . Spondyloarthritis is actively developing, against the background of vertebral convergence and disc deletion. As a result, the connective tissue of the annulus fibrosus is replaced by bone tissue, which significantly limits motor ability.

The clinical picture of thoracic osteochondrosis is such that it is more likely to diagnose this disorder:

• Pain. . . Almost always, its localization is in a specific place, often on the left. After some time, it spreads all over the chest area, breathing becomes difficult, climbing stairs or exercising becomes difficult.
• Increased pain. . . Strengthening occurs during turning or tilting, in general, with any physical activity, the same is observed when you try to breathe deeply.
• Muscle spasms. . . The above symptoms are compounded by muscle spasm, the contraction falls mainly in the upper back. In rarer cases, such a symptom is present in the lumbar region.

Separately, it is worth mentioning intercostal neuralgia, which tends to last for several weeks and then disappear on its own. During this time, a person is accompanied by chest discomfort, aggravated by movements, discomfort when trying to breathe deeply in / out. Women may have the impression that they have problems with the mammary glands, which will make them think about their treatment, and in men, a feeling of a foreign object behind the sternum.

It should also be noted that the whole clinical picture described above intensifies at night or after hypothermia. The next morning, as a rule, it becomes easier, but by evening everything repeats itself.

How to treat, what methods exist, what to take? As for therapeutic measures, they should be started as soon as possible. Often, in the early stages, it is possible to do even without the use of medication, but only with regular gymnastics - exercise therapy.

The later stages of pathology development, in 2 degrees, involve the use of drugs. This includes different groups of drugs, the most popular are presented in the table below.

Group of drugs	The main action of the drug
Pain reliever, analgesic	They relieve pain syndrome, reduce its manifestation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)	Eliminate inflammation, relieve pain, swelling.
Chondroprotectors	Increase the production of intra-articular secretions, slow down the process of cartilage destruction and reduce the occurrence of the inflammatory process.
Muscle relaxants	They reduce skeletal muscle tone, have a relaxing effect and help to effectively cope with back pain.
Soothing, calming	For more effective therapy, as severe pain can provoke stress, which worsens the effect of treatment.

In addition to essential medicines, a course of vitamin medicines is recommended.

In case the whole clinical picture is deteriorating, the main goal of therapy will be to alleviate the symptoms. For a more pronounced and rapid action, analgesic medications are prescribed in the form of injections as well as steroid type.

After eliminating the irritation and achieving stability of the condition, it is necessary to start basic therapy. A fairly wide range of drugs can be described, as only a complex effect on the disease can give positive results.

The main medicines are described in the table above, then in more detail about them. So, the basic treatment will include the appointment of such medications:

• Chondroprotectors.Used in tablet form and for local therapy, in the form of ointments or gels. It is impossible to exclude the use of such drugs, they are the basis for complete therapy. Their action is aimed at inhibiting the process of cartilage tissue destruction and further advancing dystrophic changes. In addition, they increase the regenerative capacity of cartilage. However, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology with the help of such a medicine; should not be considered as medicine.
• Vasodilator. . . They are needed to improve blood circulation and, accordingly, nutrition in the affected area. Most often, a fairly effective drug is prescribed that improves blood microcirculation, helps to cope with the pain that occurs at rest.
• Local therapy. . . For best effect, ointments or gels are prescribed. So good results can only be achieved with the help of a complex effect, therefore, when prescribing NSAIDs and chondroprotectants, it is customary to also recommend oils of the same pharmacological groups. Also popular are creams based on bee or snake venom, they have a pronounced analgesic effect and are a good addition to the main therapy.
• Vitamins. . . In particular, group B vitamins are prescribed. They have analgesic properties, help cope with inflammatory processes and damage nerve endings.
• Without fail, along with the effect of the drug, a course of physiotherapy, therapeutic massage, exercise therapy is prescribed.

What other methods of therapy should be included in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest? An experienced professional will strongly recommend the following techniques:

• magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, therapeutic mud;
• complex of physiotherapy exercises;
• acupuncture, acupressure.

It is also recommended to adhere to a certain diet, you should exclude the use of alcohol, spicy foods, reduce the use of salt.

Particular attention should be paid to therapeutic exercises, they should be performed daily, and preferably several times a day. Please note that the set of exercises is developed individually by the attending physician - an orthopedist or traumatologist. Physical education is performed in the absence of irritation, when there is no pronounced pain, in case of acute pain syndrome maximum rest should be observed.

Sports with osteochondrosis is not the last thing. With this pathology, it is important to regularly perform all the prescribed exercises that will strengthen the muscles and positively affect the outcome of treatment.

We should also mention traditional medicine. On the Internet you can find many recipes based on natural raw materials. It is not recommended to deal with folk remedies as an independent method, due to the fact that their effectiveness will be minimal, and in many cases zero. However, as an adjunct to major therapy, folk remedies may be recommended. The following home-made recipes are popular:

• Ingredients for the first: 3 tablespoons rye flour, 1 tablespoon turpentine and a teaspoon of iodine and garlic. Mix everything thoroughly and use as an ointment overnight.
• For the second: 5 tablets of metamizole sodium and 5 ml of camphor alcohol. Bring the tablets to a powdery state, then pour in the alcohol and apply overnight in the application form.

A needle applicator is considered another alternative therapy. Its action is aimed at reducing pain syndrome through needle massage.

In the event that all the prescribed methods of therapy did not give the desired result or turned out to be not long-term, the question of prescribing an operation is decided. Surgery is necessary when it is not possible to eliminate the pain syndrome, the degenerative-dystrophic process continues to develop, at the same time, negative changes in the functioning of internal organs are observed. If your doctor still recommends surgery, then you should not refuse it right away. Timely intervention will allow you to get rid of such a problem, completely restore the work of the organs and exclude the further development of complications.

Surgery usually involves two stages. The first is aimed at removing the cause - decompression, due to which the pain syndrome is eliminated. The second stage is the subsequent stabilization of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the chest region is a serious pathology that can not only disrupt the work of the musculoskeletal system, but also adversely affect the systems and organs.

It is important to monitor your health, take preventative measures, monitor your diet and be smart about physical activity. Regular exercise is an effective prevention of osteochondrosis, but remember that any load should be moderate.

Treatment of the cervicothoracic type

Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region is not considered to be an independent pathology. In this case, it is a series of disorders that appear in the intervertebral discs and are capable of affecting muscle tissue as well as nearby organs.

Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is not at all uncommon, more than 20% of diagnoses are attributed to this disease. The disease is very insidious, the variety of clinical appearance in many cases makes the doctor suspect other diseases not related to the spine. For example, a doctor may suggest the presence of angina pectoris, recommend taking a drug, which, in the end, simply will not give any results and, worst of all, will negatively affect the state of the cardiac system. For this reason, it is very important to differentiate osteochondrosis from pathologies of internal organs. So, for dystrophic disorders in the cervical region, the following signs are characteristic:

• frequent headaches;
• loss of strength, followed by dizziness;
• painful pain in the neck, flowing to the shoulders, shoulder blades, a state of muscle stiffness;
• compression of nerve roots between the ribs, ie pain syndrome, as well as its worsening;
• blood pressure disorders, there may be a decrease from hypertension to hypotension, more often in women;
• decreased visual acuity, problems with the hearing aid (hearing loss);
• in men, a decrease in strength with nervous overload in the background of the disease.

An important point is the formulation of the correct diagnosis; here a range of diagnostic measures will be required, which will include: X-ray examination, ultrasound, MRI, CT.

Comprehensive treatment is mandatory and should include:

• medicines;
• various physiotherapy techniques;
• physiotherapy;
• non-traditional therapy (acupressure, acupuncture).

It is also important to take care of non-medication measures, for example: reduce physical activity, which includes minimizing the load, changing the mattress, and purchasing an orthopedic-type pillow.

Atypical symptoms, sensation and pain

In addition to the typical pain that occurs in osteochondrosis of the chest, there are many atypical pains that may not be associated with spinal disease. However, you should be aware of:

• Heartache. . . Often, with such a pathology, pain in the heart appears, mimicking the attacks of a heart attack. A distinctive feature is their duration. Unlike real heart pain, with osteochondrosis, the pain lasts, can bother for several weeks. In addition, the use of traditional medicines does not reduce the manifestation of pain. It is here that it is worth thinking about the presence of another pathology that has nothing to do with the heart.
• Imitationmammary gland pathologies. . . This clinical picture applies directly to patients. Often, osteochondrosis of the chest makes a man think about breast diseases, as a woman can observe pain in the chest region for a long time, spreading to the glands. To identify the true cause of such symptoms, or at least to rule out problems with the mammary glands, is possible only after examination by a mammologist.
• Pain in the abdominal cavity. . . This symptom makes one suspect the presence of gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system. Wrongly, a gastroenterologist can diagnose pancreatitis or cholecystitis. It is possible to refute or confirm such diagnoses with the help of a thorough examination.
• In addition to these signs, the patient may feel a pronouncedchest discomfortdescribed as having a foreign object. It is often difficult to breathe deeply or exhale, the feeling that it is impossible to breathe deeply, shortness of breath with little physical activity.

The process of treating degenerative-dystrophic disorders is not easy, it requires a long time, effort on the part of the patient and qualifications on the part of the attending physician.

Be sure to consult your doctor before treating illnesses. This will help to consider individual tolerance, confirm the diagnosis, make sure the treatment is correct, and rule out adverse drug interactions. If you use prescriptions without consulting your doctor, then it is entirely at your own risk. All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a medical aid. All responsibility for the application falls on you.