Osteochondrosis affecting the thoracic spine is often disguised as a pathology of the internal organs. Manifested by heart pain, shortness of breath, feeling of shortness of breath during inhalation and panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult. Upon its discovery, conservative treatment is carried out using medication, physiotherapy, exercise therapy. And with major damage to the chest disks and vertebrae, surgery is required.
Short description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine. In the initial stage of its development, the intervertebral discs are slowly destroyed. They become thin, brittle and radiant cracks appear on their surface. To stabilize the thoracic segment affected by osteochondrosis, the vertebral bone tissue grows with the formation of acute growths - osteophytes. This becomes the reason for a sharp restriction of mobility, pressure on blood vessels and spinal roots.
Degrees of pathology
The degree of osteochondrosis is a set of symptoms characteristic of a certain radiographic stage. The more deformed the discs and vertebrae, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations. The severity of the pathology always determines the tactics of treatment, should be taken into account when choosing drugs and methods of their use.
Level I
X-ray images usually do not show any change. But the intervertebral disc has already begun to collapse due to the inability to retain moisture, which is necessary for the restoration of its tissues. Sometimes there is a slight discomfort in the spine, which quickly disappears after a short rest. Grade 1 osteochondrosis is usually detected accidentally when diagnosing other diseases.
degree II
The fibrous ring becomes loose, fibrous. One of the cracks on the surface of the disc grows, the pulposus nucleus extends there. On radiography, a decrease in distance between adjacent vertebral bodies is observed due to a decrease in disc height. As a result of constant compensatory muscle tension, mobility of the chest region is limited and moderately painful sensations occur.
degree III
The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is violated, so the pulposus nucleus is squeezed out of it. A hernial extension is formed - the main cause of severe symptoms and severe complications of osteochondrosis of the chest. The vertebral bodies are deformed, single osteophytes are formed. The pain in the chest region becomes constant, the range of motion in the spine is significantly reduced.
degree IV
X-ray images clearly show the growth of connective tissue, the formation of multiple osteophytes. Adjacent vertebral bodies are blocked, immobilized. Radicular syndrome develops, often discogenic myelopathy occurs - spinal cord compression, dangerous for its irreversible consequences. A person hardly serves himself in everyday life, loses the ability to perform professional tasks.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Thoracic osteochondrosis in people over 40-45 years old develops due to the natural aging of the body: slowing down the recovery reactions, a decrease in collagen production, which causes elasticity, ligament strength. At a younger age, this occurs as a result of increased stress in the spine or against the background of pathologies already present in the body:
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis;
- endocrine and metabolic diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, gout, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism;
- congenital and acquired abnormalities, including kyphosis, scoliosis.
Previous spinal injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, and lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body can provoke premature disc destruction.
Characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops gradually, at first without showing itself. In this flow of it lies the danger. A person gets mild back pain and discomfort for banal muscular fatigue after a hard day at work, homework or in the garden and does not seek medical help. Therefore, patients are usually diagnosed with a pathology of 2-3 degrees of severity, which is difficult to treat conservatively.
In the beginning
During the period of deterioration, the pathology may appear as pain between the shoulders, which occurs when you bend over, turning the body. The range of motion decreases and many specific signs of relapse are present.
Chest pain
In osteochondrosis, chest pain first appears. They are not clearly located, they can be given to the hands, clavicle, ribs. The pain in the heart is severe or moderate, resembles an attack of angina pectoris, is not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin. Sometimes they are similar to the sensations that occur during the exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis. But unlike lesions of the pancreas or gallbladder, pain is not associated with increased gas production, heartburn, and bloating.
Chest tightening
Pain between the shoulder blades is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath when you inhale. A person is expected to be scared, not understanding the reasons for this condition. Doctors recommend not to panic, but to sit down and measure your pulse. If the value obtained does not exceed 100 beats per minute, then the likelihood of lung or heart failure is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Gradually, the symptoms of osteochondrosis worsen from the sensitivity disorder. There is a sensation of numbness, tingling, crawling. From time to time, conditions occur that resemble panic attacks. Characterized by fear, increased heart rate, excessive sweating and cold sweats. If these symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, then it is necessary to take nitroglycerin and call a doctor. A similar set of symptoms may indicate myocardial infarction.
The spinal roots, located in the chest region, irritate the internal organs. When they are irritated, compressed, the work of the gastrointestinal tract and liver is disrupted. Peristalsis is disturbed, epigastric pain, heartburn, belching.
Signs in the subacute phase
After a deterioration, the subacute phase of the course of thoracic osteochondrosis begins. Pain and breathing problems persist, but they are much less intense. A person no longer requires a comfortable body position for a long time in which no pain is felt. The duration of the subacute phase is up to two weeks. If all medical recommendations are followed, remission occurs, which is characterized by the absence of pronounced symptoms. Violation of the regime leads to a new exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Forgiveness
In the remission phase, mild discomfort may occur when the weather or hypothermia changes. Acute pain appears only with osteochondrosis of 2-4 degrees of severity due to rotation or very sharp tilt of the body. Exacerbation of chronic pathologies, stress, increased physical activity, prolonged stay in one body position may provoke another relapse.
Principles of Disease Diagnosis
The neurologist makes a primary diagnosis based on patient complaints, anamnesis data. On external examination, he discovers drops in the chest region, with pressure on which pain occurs. Performing functional tests allows you to assess the safety of reflexes, identify sensitivity disorders. Of the instrumental methods, radiography is the most informative. But for a detailed study of the spinal segment, CT, MRI can be performed. To rule out diseases of the cardiovascular system, patients are assigned an ECG.
First aid for deterioration
Pain during relapse of thoracic osteochondrosis is acute, penetrating, so a person should be given first aid. It should cool down, be placed on a firm surface, covered with a warm blanket. If relapse is accompanied by an increased heart rate, shortness of breath, increased anxiety, then you should call a doctor. Any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can be taken to relieve pain between the shoulders.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the chest
Only an integrated approach to treatment will get rid of all the symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow down or stop it completely from spreading to healthy discs and vertebrae. With pathologies of 1-2 degrees of severity, conservative methods of therapy are used. For osteochondrosis 3-4 degrees, the formation of large hernias is characteristic. Surgical treatment may be required to relieve pressure on the blood vessels and spinal roots.
Preparations
Drugs of different clinical and pharmacological groups are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. In the initial stage, agents for parenteral administration are usually used, which quickly provide a therapeutic effect. A few days later, the injection solutions are replaced with safer tablets, oils and plaster.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-edema effect. Intramuscular administration of solutions allows the prevention of acute pain. To eliminate the gentle discomfort between the shoulder blades, local application agents are used. And with moderate pain, NSAIDs for oral administration do well.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms in response to severe pain. Most often, the treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest begins with the intramuscular administration of drugs, which in addition to relaxing muscle tolperisone, include an anesthetic.
Chondroprotectors
In case of first degree severity pathology, taking chondroprotector course helps to repair damaged discs. In other cases, they are prescribed to improve metabolism in the affected segment of the spine, to prevent disease progression.
B vitamin preparations
Their use helps to increase blood flow, improve the functioning of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and irritability. The B vitamin complex has a beneficial effect on degenerative diseases of the nerves and motor system.
Physiotherapy exercises
In the case of grade 1 thoracic osteochondrosis, daily exercise therapy allows you to do without the use of medication. Recovery occurs by strengthening muscles, improving the blood supply to tissues with nutrients. In other cases, regular exercise and training help prevent the involvement of healthy segments of the spine in the destructive process and prolong the remission phase.
Complex from a standing position
In a standing position, the following therapeutic exercises are most therapeutically effective:
- place your palms on your shoulders, bend forward, while raising your legs bent, as if trying to reach the opposite knee with the elbow;
- raise your left hand up, lean to the right. Perform the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Spread your legs shoulder-width apart, raise your arms. Bend forward, touching the opposite leg with your palm.
The number of repetitions is 10-12 times in 2-3 groups.
From an inclined position
To complete these exercises, you will need a fitness mat or a thick, double-folded blanket:
- lie on your stomach, raise your arms and legs at the same time;
- lying on your back, raise your upper body, stretch your palms on your feet;
- lying on your back, bend one leg, roll over the other, trying to touch the floor with your knees.
Each exercise should be done 7-10 times.
Ulur
When performing such exercises, sharp, high-amplitude movements, including twisting, should be avoided:
- sitting on the floor, lie forward, trying to touch the opposite leg with your palm;
- sitting in a chair or bench, spread your arms forward and slowly turn from side to side;
- while sitting on the floor, wrap your arms around your knee, pulling it as close to your chest as possible.
In the first lessons, the exercises should be repeated 5-7 times, after about a month - 15-20 times.
Physiotherapy
Magnetic therapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sinusoidal currents, shock wave therapy, paraffin and ozokerite applications are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest. With exacerbations, electrophoresis, ultraphonophoresis with glucocorticosteroids, anesthetics, B vitamins, chondroprotectors are performed.
Massage
A massage performed by a specialist helps to eliminate soreness between the shoulder blades, to relax spasmodic skeletal muscles.
In case of osteochondrosis, all types of massages are therapeutically effective - classical, vacuum, acupuncture, connective tissue. At home, self-massage is conveniently performed using a wooden or electric massager with long sleeves.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method of treating pathology by installing needles at bioactive points in the human body. They are thin, short, so when piercing the skin, only mild discomfort occurs occasionally. But even this effect is sufficient for the production of substances in the body with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Nutrition
Nutritionists recommend that patients with osteochondrosis of the chest give up fatty meats, rich soups, smoked meats, homemade and factory-made marinades. It is necessary to limit the amount of salt in the diet, which provokes the formation of edema. Every day you should drink about 2. 5 liters of juice - water, vegetable juices, berry fruit drinks, fruit compote.
Folk remedies
Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs, oils, alcohol and oil rubs, compresses are allowed by neurologists to be used after the main therapy. Folk remedies are used to eliminate mild pain between the shoulder blades, sometimes arising after physical exertion.
Celery Root
Peel a large celery root, finely chop, squeeze the juice. Add 100 g of chopped fresh celery. Take 3 tablespoons up to 4 times daily with meals to cleanse vertebral structures from harmful salt deposits.
Sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dried crushed sunflower roots with a glass of hot water. Let simmer, simmer for 20 minutes, cool under lid, drain. Drink 3-4 times a day.
Household ointment
In a mortar, grind a tablespoon of gum turpentine and coarse honey, add 2 drops each of the essential oils of juniper, rosemary, eucalyptus. Inject in small portions 100 g of medical Vaseline oil. Stir, transfer to a jar, store in refrigerator, rub on the back for pain.
During pregnancy
Many systemic analgesics are contraindicated during pregnancy, so neurologists prefer drugs for external use - oils, gels, fragments. If you can not do without taking pills, then their doses are significantly reduced. During childbirth, the main methods of therapy for osteochondrosis of the chest are massage and exercise therapy.
Possible consequences
In the absence of medical intervention, thoracic osteochondrosis can cause pneumosclerosis, arrhythmia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract, impaired sexual and reproductive function in women and men.
Prevention and forecasting
The prognosis is favorable with timely detection of the disease, competent, complex treatment. If complications of thoracic osteochondrosis have developed, then only compliance with all medical recommendations will allow achieving lasting remission.
As a pathology prophylaxis, neurologists recommend excluding factors that provoke it from the normal way of life. This is overweight, low physical activity, lack of vitamins and minerals, excessive stress on the back.