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 to a different degree in the spine of each person.
In the early stages, osteochondrosis almost does not appear at all. Back pain means that changes in the spine have already begun and are progressing. In the article, we will talk about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, its symptoms and treatment.
Due to its stability, the chest region suffers less often than the neck 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 of 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
The vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a nucleus located in the center and a fibrous annulus on the periphery. As we age, the discs receive less oxygen and nutrients and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. The discs lose their firmness and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis begins, which progresses with an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle and leads to complications. Cracks appear on the surface of the fibrous ring, through which the nucleus pulposus extends - a protrusion and a hernia develop. The damage process affects the vertebrae, ligaments, intercostal nerves, muscles and fascia. There is pain in the back, it creaks when moving the body, the intervertebral joints lose mobility.
Stages and complications of osteochondrosis of the spine
- First phase
The intervertebral disc produces less collagen and reduces water concentration. It becomes flatter. Cracks are starting to form on its surface. Discomfort and fatigue appear in the back. X-rays usually show no changes initially.
- Second stage
The surface of the disc cracks, the nucleus moves away from the center, 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 paravertebral ligaments. Moderate pain occurs. The surrounding muscles are constantly tense and limit the range of motion of the chest region. The x-ray shows how the height of the intervertebral space has decreased.
- Third stage
Through the fissure of the fibrous ring, the nucleus or part of it enters the lumen of the spinal canal. The vertebrae become closer to each other and bone growths - osteophytes - appear on their bodies. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface area of the vertebrae, so the load is distributed more evenly. The roots of the spine are affected, which causes back pain to intensify and spread along the ribs. The X-ray shows osteophytes and a sharp reduction of the intervertebral space.
- Fourth stage
At this stage, the back hurts strongly and continuously. Posture changes and it is difficult for a person to perform normal actions. The psycho-emotional sphere suffers. An 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 advancing age. Many factors and diseases 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 tendency
- crow's feet
- pregnancy
- breast-feeding
- spinal deformity, bad posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
- metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, gout, thyroid pathology
- autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
- to walk 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, muscle tone, radicular and sometimes facet.
- Pain syndrome
Protrusions, hernias, and osteophytes put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments and pain occurs. In the initial stages of osteochondrosis, it appears only after heavy lifting or physical activity, and disappears with rest. As the disease progresses, pain occurs even without exercise.
- Muscle tone syndrome
A persistent muscle spasm occurs in response to pain. Muscles often spasm throughout the spine, so pain occurs not only in the chest, but also in the neck and lower back.
- Radicular syndrome
The protrusions 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 arthrosis of the small joints between the vertebral arches. With this syndrome, the back hurts in the chest region. 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:
- Acute pain occurs suddenly, after a sudden movement or turn. The attack lasts for a short time: it usually goes away after changing the body position, but sometimes it lasts for several days.
- Chronic pain lasts for 12 weeks. The 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 middle of the chest, can radiate to the collarbone, neck, ribs, arms, simulating heart pathology
- constant crunching in the back when moving
- shortness of breath due to pain during deep inhalation and exhalation
- difficulty 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 gastrointestinal diseases.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
For the first episodes of back pain, it is better to consult a neurologist. The doctor makes the correct diagnosis, excludes similar diseases and finds out why osteochondrosis develops.
At the first meeting, the doctor collects an anamnesis: he asks the patient to talk about his complaints, medications he takes, hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries, surgeries, and working conditions. For women, the neurologist learns about the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient's appearance: posture, weight-height ratio, body proportions. It checks the neurological condition: muscle strength, limb sensitivity, tendon reflexes, range of motion of the spine. The doctor also evaluates the pain using special scales.
Instrumental diagnostic methods help establish the diagnosis:
- Radiography. This is a simple study that reveals the curvature of the spine, fractures and dislocations of the vertebrae, and narrowing of the intervertebral space.
- CT scan. This is a more informative method that shows the pathology of the vertebrae and discs, which is not visible on X-rays. It allows assessing the degree of damage to the spine and monitoring the progress of treatment.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. It helps diagnose protrusions, intervertebral disc herniation and spinal nerve root pathology.
In order to rule out diseases of the heart and internal organs, the doctor may refer the patient to an abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy or ECG.
Treatment: what to do in osteochondrosis of the chest region
Do not self-medicate, do not prescribe drugs or procedures - this can lead to side effects and dangerous complications. The doctor must treat the patient and monitor the dynamics of his condition.
The duration of therapy depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. For the conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors use the following methods:
Drug therapy
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 down the destruction of intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. They are prescribed when NSAIDs and muscle relaxants do not help.
Physiotherapy
The instructor selects exercises to strengthen the muscles of the chest region, correct posture and improve the mobility of the spine.
Different typesphysiotherapy. Applies to:
- Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
- Laser therapy - promotes nutrition and tissue recovery, eliminates inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy - destroys the deposits of calcium salts on the vertebrae, accelerates the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue.
Acupuncture
It stimulates blood circulation in the tissues in the area of the affected vertebrae, relaxes the muscles, and reduces pain and swelling.
Taping
Application of special adhesive tapes to the skin in the area of the painful part of the back. Bands regulate muscle tone and distribute the load properly.
Massage, manual therapy
As a complementary therapy to relax the muscles and improve the mobility of the spine.
Doctors do their best to treat the patient conservatively. If the available therapies do not help, the patient is referred to a neurosurgeon for consultation.
Complications: dangers of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women
If you contact the specialists in time and lead a healthy lifestyle, the changes in the spine can be stopped. If the patient consults a doctor in the final stages, even appropriate therapy does not always guarantee a good prognosis.
Without treatment, osteochondrosis can lead to protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc, chronic back pain or other parts of the body, reduced mobility and deformation of the spine.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, neck and other parts, it is important to observe the following 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 that you don't burden only one side
- avoid injury
- stop smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- drink enough water
- warm up by sitting for a long time, do sports, swim, walk
- monitors body weight
- timely treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
- wear comfortable shoes
If you have back pain in the chest or other parts of the spine, do not postpone the examination. Make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor makes a complete diagnosis and prepares a treatment plan. Get rid of pain and keep your spine healthy.